New York: Amid escalating humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stern warning against the use of hunger as a weapon of war. In a video message to the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, Guterres highlighted the growing threat of conflict-driven hunger and its potential to destabilize regions and undermine peace efforts. "We must never accept hunger as a weapon of war," he asserted.
According to EMM, the situation in Gaza is particularly dire, as reports indicate that more children have succumbed to hunger. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has expressed hope for permission to bring in thousands of trucks filled with essential supplies, including food and medicine, which have been blocked by Israel for months. This call for action comes after Israel's recent announcement of a daily humanitarian pause in specific areas, allowing aid convoys to enter.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis saw a convoy of over 100 trucks entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on Sunday, following Israel's policy shift. However, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) underscored that the needs on the ground remain immense. Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Chief, emphasized the critical state of affairs, noting that many have not eaten for days and that the situation demands urgent attention.
In addition to the humanitarian pause, there has been some easing of customs restrictions from Egypt on essential goods, and secure routes for UN convoys have been identified. Fletcher stressed the necessity for rapid and sustained aid delivery, calling for faster clearances and multiple daily trips to ensure the efficient distribution of aid.
Meanwhile, in New York, France and Saudi Arabia have initiated a diplomatic effort to advance a two-State solution between Israel and the Palestinians. This three-day conference coincides with French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of France's intention to formally recognize Palestine in September, marking a significant diplomatic move as the first G7 nation to do so since the 1947 UN General Assembly resolution on partitioning Palestine.