UN Secretary-General Guterres: Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Rafah Border Crossing, where aid is sent to Gaza, as part of his contacts in Egypt.

After meeting with UN humanitarian aid workers there, Guterres said, "Since I served as High Commissioner for Refugees, I have undertaken a solidarity mission every year during the month of Ramadan to shed light on Muslim communities in distress. This Ramadan, I have come to the Rafah Border Crossing to draw attention to the hardships and suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza and the obstacles to alleviating these hardships."

Stating that he visited a hospital in Al-Arish in the morning and met with injured Palestinians and their families, Guterres said, "I was deeply moved by their stories, everything they have experienced and endured, and by the generosity and solidarity of Egypt and the Egyptian people."

I repeat: Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Now is more than ever the time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It is time to silence the guns. Palestinians in Gaza are trapped in a nightmare that never ends. Communities have been destroyed. Homes have been demolished. Entire families and generations have been wiped out. Hunger and famine are stalking the people," he said.

"IT DEEPLY SADDENS ME"

Emphasizing that Ramadan is a time to spread the values of compassion, brotherhood, and peace, Guterres said, "It is horrific that after all the suffering that Palestinians in Gaza have endured for months, they are celebrating Ramadan while Israeli bombs are still falling, bullets are still flying, artillery is still striking, and humanitarian aid still faces obstacle after obstacle. It deeply saddens me that while I am fasting with you during the month of Ramadan, I know that many people in Gaza will not be able to have a proper iftar meal," he stated.

Pointing out that there are long lines of aid on one side of the crossing and hunger on the other, Guterres said, "This is more than tragic. It is a moral outrage."

More attacks will make everything worse. Worse for Palestinian civilians, for the hostages, and for all people in the region. All of this shows that it is time for much more than an immediate ceasefire. I repeat. It is time for Israel to make a firm commitment to full and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid supplies into Gaza," he said.

"I CALL FOR SUPPORTING THEIR LIFE-SAVING WORK"

Touching on the spirit of compassion of Ramadan in his speech, Guterres said, "In keeping with this spirit, it is time for the immediate release of all hostages."

"Furthermore, I call on all members of the UN to support the life-saving work of UNRWA, which is the backbone of aid operations in Gaza. I look forward to continuing to work with Egypt to facilitate the flow of aid. We appreciate the efforts Egypt has made to support the people of Gaza," he said.

Stating that he wants Palestinians in Gaza to know they are not alone, Guterres said, "People all over the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real-time. I am conveying the voice of the vast majority of the world, those who say enough is enough, and those who still believe that human dignity and decency should define us as a global community. This is our only hope," he expressed.

"LET US CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY"

Emphasizing that it is time to flood Gaza with life-saving aid, Guterres said, "The choice is very clear: either a surge of aid or starvation. Let us choose the side of aid and the right side of history. I will not give up. We must all do everything we can to ensure that our common humanity prevails in Gaza and throughout the world," he concluded.

News Source: İHA