At the Rafah Crossing in Egypt, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres made a compelling call for an immediate influx of lifesaving aid into Gaza, labeling the dire situation within the enclave as a “moral outrage.” Amidst a backdrop of trucks laden with aid, queued and waiting, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Guterres’ plea came from the Egyptian border, close to Rafah in southern Gaza, a city now bracing for a potential ground assault by Israel despite global concerns over the catastrophic consequences such action might entail. Rafah has become a refuge for over half of Gaza’s population, seeking safety from the conflict.
Highlighting the grim reality faced by Palestinian civilians, hostages, and the broader regional populace, Guterres warned of the severe repercussions of further military actions. His comments followed the U.N. Security Council’s inability to agree on a U.S.-proposed resolution advocating for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire.”
The challenge of delivering aid into Gaza was a focal point of Guterres’ address, with international aid agencies pointing to Israel as a significant barrier. From his vantage point at the crossing, Guterres painted a vivid picture of the stark contrast between the idle aid trucks and the looming shadow of starvation.
With approximately 7,000 aid trucks on standby in Egypt’s North Sinai province, Guterres called for Israel to unequivocally commit to allowing humanitarian goods into Gaza. He also appealed for the release of all hostages, in line with the spirit of Ramadan, advocating for these measures to occur simultaneously with a humanitarian cease-fire.
Hamas is reportedly holding about 100 hostages, along with the remains of 30 others, from its attack on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, igniting the current conflict.
An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, fleeing the Israeli offensive. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has labeled an Israeli ground assault on Rafah as a mistake, marking a shift in the U.S. stance due to the impracticality of evacuating civilians from the conflict zone.
Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to proceeding with the offensive, deemed essential for dismantling Hamas, with Rafah identified as a critical stronghold.
The toll of Israel’s invasion is staggering, with over 32,000 deaths reported by Gaza health officials and significant destruction across the enclave, displacing around 80% of its 2.3 million residents. The past 24 hours alone saw 72 casualties brought to hospitals.
Amidst the chaos, fighting intensified around Gaza’s largest hospital, with Israel alleging Hamas militants’ presence there. Israeli forces claim to have eliminated over 170 militants in the vicinity since their operation began. Residents report severe bombardments, leading to widespread destruction and displacement.
The World Health Organization has condemned the conditions at Shifa hospital as “utterly inhumane,” with reports of five wounded Palestinians dying due to lack of essential services. The Health Ministry has accused Israeli forces of detaining health workers, patients, and relatives within the hospital complex.
Furthermore, the conflict has exacerbated the food crisis in Gaza, with the U.N. and Israeli government exchanging accusations over aid delivery impediments. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, a key provider of assistance, reported Israel’s refusal to allow an aid convoy into northern Gaza, a region severely affected since the war’s outset.
In response to allegations of misinformation, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma emphasized the urgency of the situation, dismissing any delay in aid distribution.
This report was contributed to by Samy Magdy from Cairo, Sam Metz from Rabat, Morocco, and Jack Jeffery from Jerusalem, offering comprehensive coverage of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.