Gaza famine temporarily averted but crisis remains dire, UN chief warns

The threat of famine in Gaza has been temporarily averted, but the humanitarian situation remains "fragile, perilously so," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday. Despite improved food access, Guterres reported that over 75% of Gaza's population—1.6 million people—still face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.

A Call for Unimpeded Aid and Ceasefire

Speaking from UN headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General renewed his call for a durable ceasefire and the removal of all obstacles to humanitarian relief. "We need more crossings, the lifting of restrictions on critical items, the removal of red tape, safe routes inside Gaza, sustained funding, and unimpeded access," he stated. His assessment aligns with a new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which confirms temporary gains due to reduced hostilities but warns the overall crisis is far from resolved.

Urging Progress on Stalled Peace Process

Guterres also addressed the stalled Gaza ceasefire plan, specifically Israel's refusal to advance to the second phase. "It is essential to move to phase two, and I don't think that we should have any pretext to avoid it," he asserted, emphasizing the need for full implementation of the existing ceasefire agreement. He stressed the importance of moving the broader peace process forward without delay.

Crisis Deepening in the Occupied West Bank

The UN chief shifted focus to the occupied West Bank, warning of a "rapidly deteriorating situation" marked by escalating settler violence, land seizures, and Israeli military operations that have displaced tens of thousands. Guterres underscored that provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice regarding the territory "are binding and must be implemented," applying diplomatic pressure for compliance with international law.