Gaza, Guterres (UN) asks Israel to lift stop on NGOs
Secretary General 'strongly concerned'
uN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" about the Israeli government's decision to suspend the operations of several international non-governmental organisations in the occupied Palestinian territories. This was reported in a statement by Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman.
The Secretary General, the spokesman reports, calls for these measures to be lifted, emphasising that international non-governmental organisations are indispensable for humanitarian activities and that suspension risks undermining the fragile progress made with the ceasefire.
The announcement by the Israeli government, it is also pointed out, comes after a series of restrictions that have already delayed the delivery of food, medicine, hygiene supplies and shelter to Gaza. This new initiative, is the Secretary General's assessment, will lead to a worsening of the humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian people.
Guterres also emphasises that, in accordance with its obligations under international law, Iraele must allow and facilitate the rapid and unhindered passage of humanitarian aid for all civilians. Finally, the Secretary-General reiterates that all humanitarian actors must be able to act safely and in accordance with humanitarian principles.
