UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret on Monday over the failure of the UN Security Council to stop the Israeli attack in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating that this has severely undermined the council’s authority "possibly fatally." He said during the opening of the Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva, "The lack of unity in the council regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli military operations in Gaza following the horrific terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7 have significantly undermined its authority, potentially fatally."
The United States used its veto power once again last week against a Security Council resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in the Israeli attack on Gaza. This marks the third time Washington has vetoed a resolution since the current fighting erupted on October 7.
Around 1.5 million residents of Gaza are crowded into tents and temporary shelters in the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt, most of whom have been displaced from their homes in the northern areas in an attempt to escape the Israeli attack. Guterres described Rafah as the heart of the humanitarian aid operation in the Palestinian territory and warned that any broad Israeli assault there would have devastating consequences. He cautioned, "Any large-scale Israeli attack on the city will not only terrorize more than a million Palestinian civilians seeking refuge there but will also drive the final nail in the coffin of our aid programs."
The flow of aid entering Gaza from Egypt is diminishing, and the deteriorating security situation is further complicating the distribution of food supplies entering the enclave, according to UN data and officials.
