 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (center) speaks at a UN Security Council meeting. Photo: Xinhua/VNA |
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Mr. Guterres said "Israel's announcement of its intention to occupy Gaza City signals a new and dangerous phase." He also warned of other dire consequences, as "hundreds of thousands of civilians would be forced to flee yet again, plunging families into even deeper peril."
"Gaza is piled with rubble, with bodies, with examples of what may be serious violations of international law," the UN chief said.
Famine is no longer an imminent threat, but an existential catastrophe, he said, adding Israel has clear obligations including ensuring the provision of food, clean water, medicine and other essentials; allowing and facilitating the expansion of humanitarian access to Gaza; and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
