UN chief urges ‘humanitarian cease-fire’ to allow ‘safe’ aid delivery to Gaza

A “humanitarian cease-fire” is essential to guarantee “safe” delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday as he addressed a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

He urged both parties to respect international humanitarian law, saying “any attack on hospital, school or UN premises is forbidden.”

The UN chief said people in Gaza are in need of food, fuel, water, and therefore the UN needs “rapid and immediate access” to deliver the civilians.

He expressed the need of “sustained effort” for delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.