In a press conference in front of the Rafah crossing, Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that the time has come for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons and to silence the weapons. He reiterated that there is no justification for the horrific attacks committed by Hamas on October 7, or the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
He said that Palestinians in Gaza, children, women and men, are still stuck in an endless nightmare: “Communities are being obliterated, homes are being demolished, families and entire generations are being erased as hunger and starvation stalk the population.”
Guterres added, from Rafah, Egypt, meters away from the Gaza Strip, that the month of Ramadan is a time to spread the values of compassion, interdependence and peace. He said, “It is a terrible thing that the Palestinians in Gaza, after suffering for many months, welcomed the month of Ramadan while Israeli bombs are still falling on them, bullets are still flying, artillery is still bombing, and humanitarian aid is still facing one obstacle after another.”
The Secretary-General, who is fasting today as a sign of solidarity, expressed his concern that many in Gaza will not be able to eat a proper meal at breakfast time. He said that he sees at the Rafah crossing the heartbreak and cruelty of this situation, as there is a long line of relief trucks – which are prohibited from entering – on one side of the crossing gate, while the shadow of famine looms on the other side.
He described the situation as tragic and morally outrageous. He warned that the expansion of the attack would lead to a deterioration of the situation for Palestinian civilians, hostages, and all residents of the region. António Guterres said that all this confirms that the time has come for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel’s firm commitment to ensuring full and unrestricted access for humanitarian supplies to all parts of Gaza.
