‘Starvation at Every Doorstep in Gaza’: UN Chief Slams Israel’s ‘Horrific’ Blockade
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a grave warning about the crisis in Gaza, describing it as a “horror show” and warning that starvation is reaching every household.
Speaking before the UN Security Council, Guterres declared that “we need not look further than the nightmare unfolding in Gaza,” highlighting the scale of unmatched death and destruction in recent memory. “Undernourishment is skyrocketing. Hunger is now knocking on every doorstep. What we’re witnessing is the final breath of a humanitarian structure grounded in compassion and humanitarian principles,” he said.
He pointed out that the UN’s aid efforts in Gaza are being denied the basic conditions to operate, citing lack of access, protection, and operational space. He further noted that Israel’s continued military action—particularly in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza—is worsening an already disastrous situation.
“One layer of destruction is being stacked upon another,” Guterres said, strongly condemning the frequent targeting of UN premises in Gaza, including those used by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). “These facilities are protected under international humanitarian law and must remain untouched without exception,” he added.
The warning came amid rapidly declining humanitarian conditions in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 10 people have died of hunger in the past 24 hours. Dr. Munir al-Boursh, Director-General of the ministry, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “The death count from starvation and malnutrition is rising at a terrifying pace. These aren’t just statistics – they are desperate calls for urgent global action.”
In a coordinated move, over 100 international aid organisations sent a joint letter to the Israeli government, demanding an immediate lift of the blockade on Gaza. The letter stated that ample stocks of food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies are ready for dispatch but remain undelivered due to Israeli restrictions.
“Warehouses just outside Gaza—and even within the strip—are packed with food, potable water, medical gear, shelter materials, and fuel, all lying unused because aid agencies are obstructed from reaching those in need,” the appeal noted. It concluded, “Israel’s sweeping siege—with its restrictions, delays, and administrative fragmentation—has spawned chaos, hunger, and widespread loss of life.”
