On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Israel to immediately reopen the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need during a press briefing, expressing deep concern over the renewed military activities in Rafah.
“The simultaneous closure of both Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings is particularly detrimental to the already dire humanitarian situation.
They must be reopened immediately,” Guterres stated, warning that a “broad attack” on the densely populated Rafah would be a “humanitarian disaster,” according to AFP.
Guterres appealed to both Israel and Hamas to spare no effort in reaching a ceasefire agreement, cautioning Israel that any attack on Rafah would be “a strategic mistake, a political disaster, and a humanitarian nightmare,” as reported by Reuters.
The Secretary-General also urged Israel to halt any escalations and to engage positively in ongoing diplomatic talks.
Highlighting the severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, Guterres said, “An attack on Rafah will further hinder our efforts to aid the people facing dire humanitarian situations as famine looms.” He stressed that such an attack would be a strategic mistake and a political catastrophe.
Israel announced on Tuesday that it had taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border with Egypt, leading to a halt in humanitarian aid reaching the besieged Palestinian sector through this crossing.
Israel also closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing after Hamas launched rockets at a nearby military site on Sunday, an attack that the Israeli military said resulted in the death of four soldiers.
On Tuesday, images released by the Israeli military showed tanks flying the Israeli flag deployed in Rafah from the Palestinian side of the border area, indicating a “specific operation” in eastern Rafah, following a call for tens of thousands of residents to evacuate neighborhoods in eastern Rafah towards a “humanitarian zone” established by Israel.
Guterres reiterated that “there is no safe place in Gaza,” expressing fear of “countless additional civilian casualties.”
“Even Israel’s closest allies are clear: an attack on Rafah would be a strategic error, a political disaster, and a humanitarian nightmare,” Guterres added, calling on “everyone with influence over Israel to do everything possible to help avoid a greater tragedy.”
Guterres had also warned on Monday that an Israeli “invasion” of Rafah in southern Gaza, where Israel threatens a widespread ground attack, would be “unbearable” due to its devastating humanitarian consequences and destabilizing impact on the region.
In a statement to journalists upon receiving Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Guterres said, “A ground invasion of Rafah would be unbearable because of its devastating humanitarian consequences and because of its destabilizing impact on the region.”
“I made a very strong appeal today to the Israeli government and Hamas leadership to make an extra effort to reach an agreement, which is vitally important. This is an opportunity that must not be missed.”
