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UN Chief Warns Gaza Faces ‘Cruellest Phase’ Amid Blockade, Risk of Famine
UN Chief Antonio Guterres warns Gaza is nearing famine after 80-day blockade. Thousands face hunger as aid remains blocked amid escalating conflict.
ND
by News Desk
2025-05-24
UN Chief Warns Gaza Faces ‘Cruellest Phase’ Amid Blockade, Risk of Famine

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the current situation as “what may be the cruellest phase of this cruel conflict.” He condemned Israel’s ongoing military campaign and blockade that have pushed Gaza’s population to the brink of famine.

“For nearly 80 days, Israel blocked the entry of life-saving international aid,” Guterres said on Friday. He stressed that the flow of humanitarian supplies, even after a partial easing of the siege this week, remains woefully insufficient. “All the aid authorised until now amounts to a teaspoon of aid when a flood of assistance is required.”

The UN chief highlighted the intensification of the Israeli military campaign marked by “atrocious levels of death and destruction” and pointed out that 80 percent of Gaza has been designated an Israeli militarised zone or is under evacuation orders, severely restricting aid access.

“Without rapid, reliable, safe and sustained aid access, more people will die – and the long-term consequences on the entire population will be profound,” Guterres warned reporters from New York.

Inside Gaza, Palestinians face daily struggles to find food and drinking water. Many queue for hours outside local community kitchens, which provide only minimal relief. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Hani Mahmoud described the aid delivered over the past two days as “not enough or sufficient” to meet the deepening humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing bombardments and destruction.

Since October 7, 2023, at least 53,822 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, with over 122,382 injured, the majority women and children. Recent Israeli strikes have killed at least 76 Palestinians since Friday alone.

Although Israel claims around 300 trucks carrying aid have crossed into Gaza since Monday, the UN reports only a third have reached warehouses inside the enclave due to security and logistical challenges. This is a sharp decline from the pre-war average of over 500 trucks daily.

A new US-backed aid delivery system, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), is slated to take over distribution by the end of the month, involving private contractors escorting supplies to secure hubs for civilian-led distribution. However, the UN has refused participation, citing concerns that the scheme does not meet humanitarian principles and international law.

“The United Nations has been clear: we will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” Guterres emphasized.

He reiterated that the UN already has a massive stockpile of supplies—160,000 pallets ready to fill nearly 9,000 trucks—waiting to be delivered.

“This is my appeal for life-saving aid for the long-suffering people of Gaza: let’s do it right. And let’s do it right away,” concluded the UN chief.

 
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