UN Chief: Israel Imposed Restrictions on Humanitarian Workers

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Israel has imposed many restrictions on the distribution of desperately needed humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Speaking to the media, Guterres noted that the current mechanisms for protecting humanitarian workers distributing aid in Gaza “are not effective.”

He continued: “My sincere hope is that negotiations for the release of hostages and some form of cessation of hostilities to be successful to avoid an all-out offensive over Rafah.”

Earlier, Guterres called for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. In recent days he has expressed fear over what could happen to the displaced Palestinians who have crowded into Rafah if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with his announced military offensive in the southern city.

The secretary-general said “the core” of the U.N. humanitarian system is located in Rafah and an Israeli offensive there “would have devastating consequences.”