The United Nations sounded a dire alarm on Tuesday, signaling the looming threat of an Israeli assault on Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urgently appealed to influential nations to intervene and prevent the potential catastrophe in southern Gaza, where over 1.2 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge.
Despite Hamas’s responses to ceasefire proposals, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained resolute in his commitment to proceed with the promised assault.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths underscored the grave repercussions of a ground operation in Rafah, emphasizing the urgent need for restraint and diplomacy.
While Israel had pledged a month ago to improve aid access to Gaza, Secretary-General Guterres stressed that incremental progress was insufficient to avert a humanitarian crisis. He called for more substantial measures to address the dire situation and prevent further escalation.
The UN-backed report in March had warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, with devastating consequences projected by May and potential spread across the enclave by July.
Guterres highlighted the urgent need to address the plight of the most vulnerable populations already suffering from hunger and disease.
Concerns were raised regarding the leverage the United States could employ over Israel to boost aid access and prevent the Rafah assault.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed intentions to discuss measures with Netanyahu to increase aid flow into Gaza during upcoming talks.
While efforts for aid delivery via air and sea were welcomed, Guterres emphasized that land routes remained indispensable.
He underscored ongoing discussions with the US about a floating pier project to facilitate maritime aid deliveries from Cyprus to Gaza.
Despite Israel’s assertions of increased aid support, concerns persist about the escalating conflict and its humanitarian toll.
The UN’s urgent appeals underscored the critical need for diplomatic solutions to avert further tragedy in the region.
