News / Palestine

Only effective way to ramp up Gaza aid is by land: UN chief

Sunday, 24 March 2024 6:06 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 24 March 2024 6:13 PM ]

UN chief Antonio Guterres speaks at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Reuters)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the only effective and efficient way to deliver heavy goods to meet the humanitarian needs of the people in Gaza is by road.

Guterres made the remarks while speaking during a visit to Egypt on Sunday following a visit to the gates of the besieged Gaza Strip at the Rafah border crossing on Saturday.

He warned of the impact Israel’s months-long genocidal war on Gaza was having around the globe.

“The daily assault on the human dignity of Palestinians is creating a crisis of credibility for the international community,” he said.

Guterres repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire to alleviate “the plight of Palestinian children, women and men struggling to survive the nightmare” in famine-threatened Gaza.

“Looking at Gaza, it almost appears that the four horsemen of war, famine, conquest and death are galloping across it,” he said. “The whole world recognizes that it’s past time to silence the guns and ensure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”

The United Nations has repeatedly warned of famine in the Palestinian territory, particularly in the north, which has been largely cut off from aid deliveries.

Guterres said Palestinians in Gaza “desperately need what has been promised – a flood of aid”. “Not trickles. Not drops,” he added.