UN chief appeals to Israel to allow humanitarian aid in Gaza, asks Hamas to free hostages

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages without conditions and urged Israel to allow prompt and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for civilians in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, where about 2.3 million people live, is under a complete blockade. Israel has cut off all supplies of food, water and fuel in view of the ongoing hostilities with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Galant said it would impose a complete siege of the area.

“At this dramatic moment when we are on the brink of the abyss in the Middle East, it is my duty as Secretary-General of the United Nations to make two strong humanitarian appeals,” Guterres said in a statement on Sunday. The UN Secretary General appealed to Hamas to immediately release all hostages without any conditions. Guterres said Israel should be granted prompt and unhindered access to humanitarian supplies and humanitarian aid for workers in Gaza for the sake of civilians.

He said that each of these two objectives is valid in itself. They should not become a bargaining chip and should be implemented because it is the right thing to do. The UN chief gave a dire warning saying that water, electricity and other essential supplies are running out in Gaza. He said the United Nations has stockpiles of food, water, non-food items, medical supplies and fuel available in Egypt, Jordan, the West Bank and Israel and that these goods can be dispatched within hours.