The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, described Gaza as a “cemetery for children,” launching a call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas, calling for the collection of $1.2 billion to help the 2.7 million Palestinians in Gaza, and half a million Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

“The nightmare in Gaza is more than just a humanitarian crisis,” Guterres told reporters at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York. It is a crisis for humanity,” he said, adding that “the raging conflict is shaking the world and the region.”

He stressed that “no one is safe” due to the ground operations of Israeli forces and the continuous bombing that “hit civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and United Nations facilities - including shelters.”

He also reiterated his criticism of “Hamas” and other militants who “use civilians as human shields and continue to fire rockets randomly toward Israel,” reiterating his “absolute condemnation of the hateful terrorist acts committed by (Hamas) on October 7, and calling for “the launch of Immediate, unconditional and safe release of the hostages held in Gaza.”

Guterres referred to reports that “hundreds of girls and boys are killed or injured every day,” noting also that “more journalists were killed during a period of four weeks than in any other conflict in at least three decades,” in addition to “the largest number killed.” of United Nations staff from any similar period in the history of our Organization.” He stressed that the unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian ceasefire “more urgent by the hour,” stressing that “the parties to the conflict - and even the international community - face an immediate and fundamental responsibility to stop this inhuman mass suffering, and to significantly expand the scope of humanitarian aid to Gaza.” .

The UN chief announced that the United Nations and its partners had launched a “humanitarian appeal worth $1.2 billion to help 2.7 million people, the total population of the Gaza Strip, and half a million Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”

He explained that “the Rafah crossing alone does not have the capacity to handle aid trucks of the required size,” adding that “slightly more than 400 trucks crossed into Gaza during the past two weeks, compared to 500 trucks per day before the conflict.”

"Without fuel, newborns in incubators and patients who need life support will die," he warned. It is not possible to  “pump or purify water,” reiterating the demand for a “humanitarian ceasefire now.” He called on all parties to "respect all their obligations under international humanitarian law, now."

Guterres expressed "deep concern about the escalation of violence and the expansion of the conflict," adding that "the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has reached a boiling point."

He urged "not to forget the importance of addressing the risks of the conflict spreading to the broader region," pointing to the "spiral of escalation" that includes Lebanon and Syria in addition to Iraq and Yemen.

He also expressed "deep concern about the rise of anti-Semitism and intolerance against Muslims." He said: “We must act now to find a way out of the impasse of brutal, horrific and painful destruction,” calling for “help paving the way for peace, and a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and security.”