Secretary-General Welcomes Passage of Life-Saving Assistance, Fuel to Gaza through Kerem Shalom Crossing, Stressing Civilians Must Be Protected

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General welcomes today’s passage of life-saving humanitarian assistance and fuel from Egypt into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

With more than 800,000 people displaced from Rafah due to hostilities and evacuation orders since 6 May, the Secretary-General stresses that civilians must be protected and their essential needs met — including access to food, shelter and clean water.

With the humanitarian operation near collapse, the Secretary-General emphasizes that the Israeli authorities must facilitate the safe pickup and delivery of humanitarian supplies from Egypt entering Kerem Shalom to those in need.  He underscores the need for all crossing points to be open in line with Security Council resolution 2720 (2023) and for humanitarian organizations to have full, safe and unhindered access to reach all civilians in need across Gaza.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages to end the suffering of civilians.  He’s dismayed by the lack of implementation of the recent orders of the International Court of Justice regarding the situation Gaza.  He reminds the parties that decisions of the Court are binding.