UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, made an urgent appeal for the removal of obstacles to life-saving aid and increased access into Gaza during a visit to Amman with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safady. The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with reports of 27 children dying from complications related to severe malnutrition in the northern governorates. Mr. Guterres emphasized the need for a lasting peace and humanitarian ceasefire to ensure the effective delivery of food, fuel, and medicines, noting that ongoing conflict hinders any sustainable humanitarian solution.
UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has been barred by Israeli authorities from providing transportation assistance to northern Gaza, exacerbating the already dire situation in the region. Basic commodities in northern governorates have become 25 times more expensive than before the war, with a 25-kilogram sack of flour costing over $400. Despite warnings of imminent famine in Gaza, there has been no significant increase in the volume of supplies entering the region, with only 157 aid trucks per day crossing into Gaza on average in March, well below the operational capacity and target of 500 per day.
Delays at border crossings from Israel and Egypt have further impacted the delivery of aid, with the killing of Palestinian policemen in Israeli airstrikes near the crossings in February severely affecting operations. The situation in Gaza highlights the urgent need for increased humanitarian access and the removal of obstacles to aid delivery to prevent further suffering and loss of life. Mr. Guterres stressed the importance of UNRWA’s services in providing hope and dignity to millions of Palestinian refugees, highlighting the positive impact of its schools and health centers on the lives of refugees of all ages.
During his visit to Egypt and Jordan, Mr. Guterres emphasized UNRWA’s role as a lifeline of hope and dignity for Palestinian refugees, particularly in the Wihdat Palestine Refugee Camp in Jordan, home to a significant number of Palestine refugees in the region. The UN agency provides education to over 500,000 girls and boys and serves around two million patients in its health centers. Mr. Guterres reiterated the importance of supporting UNRWA to ensure that vital services continue to reach those in need and to maintain hope for millions of Palestinian refugees.
In the face of escalating conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mr. Guterres called for a collective effort to prioritize peace-building and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. He condemned the attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas on October 7, emphasizing that such actions do not justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian population. The UN Secretary-General’s visit underscored the urgent need for increased international support and cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and work towards a lasting peace in the region.
