Secretary-General António Guterres speaks to reporters on the situation in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres today reiterated his call for the Israeli Government and the Hamas leadership to show political courage and spare no effort to reach an agreement now.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to Israel's terms for a ceasefire, but the Israeli side says that the conditions that Hamas has agreed to are far from what it demands.
The decisive moment
Speaking to reporters at his headquarters in New York, Guterres said that we are at a decisive moment in the fate of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and the entire region. An agreement between the Israeli Government and the Hamas leadership is essential to end the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as the hostages and their families. It would be a tragedy if weeks-long diplomatic efforts for peace in Gaza failed to reach a ceasefire agreement, and if the hostages could not be released for a devastating attack on Rafah.
He noted that the time had come to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and help stabilize an area that was still at risk of an explosive situation.
He stressed that the region and the world could not afford to miss such an important opportunity, yet things were going in the wrong direction. He was extremely disturbed by the resumption of IDF military activities in Rafah.
Guterres noted that the closure of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings is particularly devastating to an already dire humanitarian situation and must be reopened immediately. He warned that there was a risk of running out of fuel completely tonight.
He urged the Government of Israel to cease any escalation and to engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Human catastrophe
Guterres said there is no doubt that an all-out assault on Rafah would be a human catastrophe. Countless civilians will be killed or wounded. Countless families will be forced to flee again, but they will have nowhere to go because there is no safe place in Gaza.
He noted that Rafah was the centre of humanitarian action in Gaza. At a time when famine is imminent, the attack on Rafah will further disrupt our efforts to support people in dire humanitarian distress.
Guterres stressed that international humanitarian law clearly states: Civilians must be protected – whether they leave or remain in Rafah.
He said that both sides to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law. He reminded Israel of its obligation to facilitate the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance and staff to and through Gaza.
Seize the opportunity
Guterres said even Israel's best friend knows that attacking Rafah would be a strategic mistake, a political catastrophe and a humanitarian nightmare.
He called on all those who have influence on Israel to do everything in their power to help avoid further tragedies. He said the international community has a shared responsibility to promote a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and a massive increase in life-saving assistance.
He reiterated that it was time for the parties to seize the opportunity and reach an agreement for the sake of their people.
