Guterres says civilian death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in any conflict (Reuters)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that the protracted conflict in Gaza "will increase the risk of escalation and miscalculation," stressing that nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Guterres also called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in the more than 100-day war on the Strip.
"The 100-day civilian death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in any conflict since I took office, and most of the dead are women and children," he said.
"We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure aid reaches those in need, facilitate the release of hostages and put out the flames of a wider war," he said.
He also expressed concern about the spread of the conflict to Lebanon or beyond, saying, "We cannot see in Lebanon what we see in Gaza, and we cannot allow what is happening in Gaza to continue."
"The specter of famine hangs over the people of Gaza, with the risks of disease, malnutrition and other health threats."
It is noteworthy that the population of the Gaza Strip, numbering 2.2 million, more than 85% of whom have been displaced, according to the United Nations, are suffering from a catastrophic humanitarian crisis and most of them are on the brink of famine, according to international agencies, in light of severe shortages of food, water, fuel and medicines, while humanitarian aid enters only in very small quantities despite the issuance of a UN resolution in this regard.
Since October 7, the Israeli occupation army has waged a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, which has left 24,100 people dead and about 60,832 injured, and caused the displacement of more than 85% of the population of the Strip, according to the United Nations.
Source: Agencies