Speaking to the press at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, Guterres considered that it would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activity for peace in Gaza did not produce a ceasefire, the release of hostages and even “a devastating offensive”. in Rafah.
“After more than 1,100 Israelis killed in the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks… after more than 34,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, have we not seen enough? Haven’t civilians suffered enough death and destruction?” asked the secretary-general.
“Make no mistake — a full-scale attack on Rafah will be a human catastrophe. Plus countless civilian casualties. Countless families forced to flee again, with nowhere to go, because there is no safe place in Gaza”, he stressed.
According to the former Portuguese prime minister, the situation is heading “in the wrong direction”, also considering the closure of the Rafah and Karem Shalom crossings as “especially harmful” to an already serious humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave.
“They must be reopened immediately,” he urged.
