UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where supplies of food, medicine and shelter remain blocked at border crossings. He said this in a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), BTA reports.
„Israel, as an occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, including humanitarian law and human rights law. However, humanitarian supplies are currently unable to enter the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, vital aid is being received at crossing points,” Guterres stressed.
He added that humanitarian workers must also be given the necessary protection in accordance with international law.
The Secretary-General also recalled the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which regulates the protection of the civilian population in time of war. According to its text, the occupying power is obliged to maintain health and sanitation services in the occupied territory, including to take preventive and curative measures to prevent infectious diseases and epidemics.
On March 2, Israel suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and closed all border crossings. Later, on March 18, the Israeli army resumed hostilities in the territory, carrying out massive strikes.