Latest news with #Guterres
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Guterres Calls For Immediate Gaza Ceasefire As Humanitarian Crisis Reaches ‘Horrific Proportions'
Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters ahead of his departure to Spain for the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Secretary-General said that while the Israel-Iran conflict had dominated recent headlines, the plight of civilians in Gaza remained urgent and dire. ' Families have been displaced again and again – and are now confined to less than one-fifth of Gaza's land,' he said. ' Even these shrinking spaces are under threat. Bombs are falling – on tents, on families, on those with nowhere left to run. ' Search for food must never be a death sentence Mr. Guterres described the situation as the most severe since the onset of the war, citing acute shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. ' The search for food must never be a death sentence,' he said, highlighting the danger faced by Palestinians simply trying to survive. He has repeatedly called for three urgent steps: an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unimpeded humanitarian access. On Friday, he again pressed for these demands, emphasising that aid workers are starving, hospitals are rationing life-saving supplies and civilians are trapped in unsafe zones. Surge in aid urgently needed 'What's needed now is a surge – the trickle must become an ocean,' he said. The UN chief stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obliged to facilitate humanitarian relief. 'To those in power, I say: enable our operations as international humanitarian law demands. To those with influence, I say: use it,' he added. Earlier this week, a small convoy of UN medical supplies entered Gaza for the first time in months, Mr. Guterres noted, adding that it only underscored the overwhelming scale of the need. He also also cautioned that any aid delivery method must ensure civilian safety, stressing that 'operations which place desperate people in or near militarized areas are inherently unsafe.' ' We have the solution – a detailed plan grounded in the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence,' he said. ' It worked during the last ceasefire. So it must be allowed to work again. ' Two-State solution critical Mr. Guterres concluded with a broader political appeal: ''
ITV News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
'The search for food must never be a death sentence', says UN chief on Gaza
UN Secretary General Antonia Guterres has condemned the aid distribution system being operated in Gaza and called for safe humanitarian access for all. He said that Israeli military operations have created a "humanitarian crisis of horrific proportions". "Bombs are falling - on tents, on families, on those with nowhere left to run," he said at a press briefing on Friday. "People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families."The search for food must never be a death sentence." Israel has backed an American private contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which started distributing food boxes at four locations, mainly in the far south of Gaza for the past month. During that time, scores of Palestinians have been killed trying to seek aid. "Any operation that channels desperate civilians into militarized zones is inherently unsafe," Guterres said. "It is killing people." "The problem of the distrubution must be solved. There is no need to reinvent the wheel with dangerous schemes." He said that Israel is required by international law to facilitate humanitarian relief. Let me be clear: Israel, as the occupying Power, is required by international law, to agree to and to facilitate humanitarian relief. "Meanwhile, humanitarian operations continue to be strangled," he told reporters. "For over three months, shelter materials and fuel for critical services have been blocked. "Doctors are forced to choose who gets the last vial of medicine, or the last ventilator. Aid workers themselves are starving." "This cannot be normalized." Guterres said it was time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and called on world leaders to use their power and influence to work on a solution.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UN chief calls US-backed Gaza aid operation unsafe, is killing people
FILE PHOTO: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends a press briefing during the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) at the Centre des Expositions conference centre in Nice, France, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo UNITED NATIONS - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that a U.S.-backed aid operation in Gaza is 'inherently unsafe,' giving a blunt assessment: 'It is killing people.' Israel and the United States want the U.N. to work through the controversial new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the U.N. has refused, questioning its neutrality and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement. Guterres said U.N.-led humanitarian efforts are being 'strangled,' aid workers themselves are starving and Israel – as the occupying power - is required to agree to and facilitate aid deliveries into and throughout the Palestinian enclave. "People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence,' Guterres told reporters. "It is time to find the political courage for a ceasefire in Gaza." Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza on May 19, allowing limited U.N. deliveries to resume, the United Nations says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid from both the U.N. and GHF operations. A senior U.N. official said on Sunday that the majority of those people were trying to reach GHF sites. A GHF spokesperson said there have been no deaths at or near any of the GHF aid distribution sites. 'It is unfortunate the U.N. continue to push false information regarding our operations,' the GHF spokesperson said. 'Bottom line, our aid is getting securely delivered. Instead of bickering and throwing insults from the sidelines, we would welcome the UN and other humanitarian groups to join us and feed the people in Gaza.' GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics firms to operate. It began operations in Gaza on May 26 and said on Friday so far it has given out more than 48 million meals. The U.S. State Department said on Thursday it had approved $30 million in funding for the GHF and called on other countries to also support the group. Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of stealing aid from the U.N.-led operations, which the militants deny. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
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First Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
'It is killing people': UN chief slams US-backed Gaza aid operation as unsafe
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday slammed the US-backed aid initiative in Gaza, describing it as 'inherently unsafe' and bluntly stating, 'It is killing people' read more UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends a press briefing during the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) at the Centre des Expositions conference centre in Nice, France, on June 10, 2025. Reuters File United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday slammed the US-backed aid initiative in Gaza, describing it as 'inherently unsafe' and bluntly stating, 'It is killing people.' The United States and Israel have pushed for the United Nations to cooperate with the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial aid mechanism. However, the UN has declined to participate, raising concerns about the foundation's neutrality and accusing it of militarising humanitarian assistance and contributing to the forced displacement of civilians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Guterres said that UN-led humanitarian operations are being 'strangled,' with aid workers themselves facing starvation. He emphasised that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obligated to allow and facilitate the delivery of aid throughout Gaza. 'People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence,' Reuters quoted Guterres as telling reporters. 'It is time to find the political courage for a ceasefire in Gaza,' he added. Since Israel eased its 11-week blockade on Gaza on May 19, allowing limited UN aid deliveries to resume, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access assistance from both UN and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) operations, according to the United Nations. A senior UN official said on Sunday that the majority of those fatalities occurred near GHF distribution sites. GHF has not yet responded to a request for comment on Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks made on Friday, reported Reuters. Earlier this week it said: 'Bottom-line, our aid is getting securely delivered. Instead of bickering and throwing insults from the sidelines, we would welcome the UN and other humanitarian groups to join us and feed the people in Gaza.' GHF, which began operations in Gaza on May 26, relies on private US security and logistics firms to carry out its mission. As of Friday, GHF reported distributing over 48 million meals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Thursday, the US State Department announced it had approved $30 million in funding for GHF and urged other nations to contribute to the initiative. Both Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of diverting aid from UN-led efforts—an allegation the militant group has denied. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US-backed aid operation in Gaza ‘killing people', says UN chief Antonio Guterres
Jun 27, 2025 10:28 PM IST United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that a U.S.-backed aid operation in Gaza is 'inherently unsafe,' giving a blunt assessment: 'It is killing people.' "The search for food must never be a death sentence,' Guterres said.(REUTERS) He also said U.N.-led humanitarian efforts are being 'strangled,' aid workers themselves are starving and Israel – as the occupying power - is required to agree to and facilitate aid deliveries into and throughout the Palestinian enclave. "People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence,' Guterres told reporters.
