UN Chief Holds Press Conference in Egypt's Rafah

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres held a press conference at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, where he called for access to health and humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.

This came shortly after the UN Chief arrived this morning at Al-Arish Airport, and inspected the humanitarian aid that should be delivered to the civilians of besieged Gaza.

During the press conference, Guterres called for a ceasefire on the basis of providing humanitarian relief and delivering aid, water, food, and medicine to the Strip. 

The UN Chief said: "Behind these walls, we have two million people that are suffering enormously - that have no water, no food, no medicine, no fuel, that is under fire, that needs everything to survive."

He continued: "On this side, we have seen so many trucks loaded with water, with fuel, with medicines, with food. Exactly the same things that are needed on this side of the wall. So these trucks are not just trucks. They are a lifeline. They are the difference between life and death for so many people in Gaza."

Guterres also called on the Israeli side to lift the Gaza blockade for humanitarian trucks saying: " We absolutely need to have these trucks moving as quickly as possible and as many as necessary."

He concluded his statement by expressing his deep gratitude to the people and the Government of Egypt. "Egypt is today the fundamental pillar that allows hope to exist on that side of the border."