UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres describes Gaza Strip as a 'killing ground'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the Gaza Strip as a "killing ground". Speaking at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, he said, "For more than a month, not a single drop of humanitarian aid has reached Gaza. There is no food, no fuel, no medicine – and not even any commercial goods." Guterres further said, "As soon as aid was cut off, the gates of a death trap opened wide. Gaza is now a bloody killing ground— where innocent civilians have become trapped in an endless cycle of death."

He emphasized that under international law, Israel is obligated to ensure the entry of humanitarian assistance for Palestinians living in the occupied territory. But in reality, food, medicine, relief materials and emergency equipment that cannot cross the border are piling up in warehouses.

Describing Israel's recently introduced new "approval process" for aid delivery as "heartless and cruel control", Guterres said, "Aid cannot be distributed by rationing the very last calorie and the last grain of flour this way." He stated clearly, "If any arrangement does not fully respect humanitarian principles, the United Nations will not take part in it. Humanitarian aid must reach unhindered, on the basis of neutrality, humanity and independence."

Besides, strongly criticizing former US President Donald Trump's proposal to "relocate" Palestinians to other countries, Guterres said, "Palestinians have the right to live in their own land, in a Palestinian state, alongside the Israeli state. Forced displacement is a violation of international law."