United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a significant increase in the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to save lives.
In a message marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed annually on November 29th, Guterres highlighted the dire situation in the Gaza Strip. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People was established by the United Nations in 1977 to demonstrate international support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination, national independence, sovereignty, and the return of refugees to their homes from which they were displaced in 1948.
“This year’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People comes after two years of appalling suffering in Gaza, and the start of a desperately needed ceasefire,” Guterres stated. He added, “Survivors are mourning tens of thousands of friends and relatives killed – almost a third of them children – and the thousands injured. Hunger, disease, and trauma stalk the Strip. Rubble marks the sites of destroyed schools, homes, and hospitals.”
“Sufficient life-saving humanitarian aid must be allowed into Gaza,” the Secretary-General firmly asserted.
A ceasefire agreement, which has been in effect since October 10th, stipulates the entry of 600 aid trucks daily into Gaza. However, reports indicate that this agreement has not been fully honored, with only a fraction of the agreed-upon aid currently being permitted access.
Guterres also underscored the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stating, “The international community must continue to stand firmly with UNRWA, the indispensable lifeline for millions of Palestinians.”
The call for increased aid access comes amid growing concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with widespread reports of food shortages, inadequate medical care, and a collapsing infrastructure. The international community is urged to take immediate action to ensure the delivery of essential assistance to the people of Gaza.
