UN Guterres Says Gaza Is a Moral Crisis That Challenges the Global Conscience

New york: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday warned that the crisis in the Gaza Strip has escalated beyond humanitarian dimensions, calling it "a moral crisis that challenges the global conscience." According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Guterres made these remarks in a virtual address to Amnesty International's Global Assembly. He denounced ongoing violations of international law, including "the relentless Israeli onslaught on Gaza," and emphasized that "nothing can justify the explosion of death and destruction" since Oct. 7. He highlighted the unprecedented scale of the crisis, stating, "The scale and scope are beyond anything we have seen in recent times." Guterres expressed his bewilderment at the international community's indifference and inaction, lamenting the "lack of compassion, truth, and humanity." Guterres shared the dire situation faced by UN staff on the ground, noting that many are so overwhelmed that they feel "neither dead nor alive," and that children exp ress a desire to go to heaven because "at least, they say, there is food there." He described the situation as not just a humanitarian crisis but a moral one that challenges the global conscience. Guterres called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access. He further revealed that "since May 27, the United Nations has recorded over 1,000 Palestinians killed trying to access food."