NEW YORK: UN chief Antonio Guterres has stressed the complex and chaotic situation in the Gaza Strip, describing it as “total lawlessness.” “The situation in the Strip became a situation of complete lawlessness. Most of the trucks with humanitarian aid in Gaza are now looted due to the war that is different from any other one,” Guterres told media persons.
The UN chief said that unlike traditional warfare where occupying forces ensure security and management of the territories they control, the conflict in the Gaza Strip is characterized by continuous strikes and bombings. Saying that there is compete chaos in the Strip,” where there is no authority in most of the areas, he stressed that Israel does not even permit the so-called blue police to escort the (UN) convoys, because it is local police linked to local administration.” He stated that this “lawlessness” has made it “extremely difficult” to distribute assistance within the Gaza Strip.
“The problem is not only to bring things to the Gaza Strip,” he said, emphasizing the need for a mechanism that ensures a minimum level of law and order to facilitate aid distribution. Guterres further stressed the necessity for a truce, saying: “That’s why a truce is so necessary to … properly organize and execute a plan.” Asked regarding Israel’s military assault on northern Gaza and the displaced people near Rafah, Guterres said a military operation has “dramatic impact on civilians” and that it is “not solving any issue.”
Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel has closed Gaza crossings and blocked the entry of aid, allowing only small amounts of humanitarian assistance through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt since November.
On May 7, Israeli forces took control of the crossing and completely demolished it. Since Israel assumed control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, Egypt has denied to coordinate with Tel Aviv.
Israel, flouting a UNSC resolution demanding an immediate truce, has faced global condemnation amid its continued brutal operation on Gaza since Oct. 7.
Gaza Health Ministry said that more than 37,400 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. Israel stands accused of genocide at ICJ, which in its latest ruling ordered it to immediately stop its military offensive in the southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the conflict before it was invaded on May 6.
