UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, urging countries to provide essential aid to Gaza.
During his visit to the Egyptian border near Rafah, which is overwhelmed with refugees, Guterres warned against Israel’s planned ground assault in the area, highlighting the potential humanitarian catastrophe.
He stressed that further military action would exacerbate the suffering of Palestinian civilians, hostages, and the entire region, condemning the dire situation in Gaza as a moral crisis.
Despite failed attempts by the UN Security Council to secure a ceasefire agreement, Guterres witnessed the distressing scenes at the crossing, where blocked relief trucks and the threat of starvation loomed large.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, remains steadfast in proceeding with the offensive to deter future attacks by Hamas, as tensions continue to escalate with casualties mounting on both sides.
Recent reports from the media indicate that Israel has made a decision to free as many as 800 Palestinian prisoners in return for the release of 40 hostages who are currently being held by Hamas.
