The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed his urgent call for the immediate restoration of the ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.

In a statement, he expressed his deep alarm over the human toll of the intensified hostilities in Gaza.

The UN Secretary General condemned the reported killing of over a thousand people, including women and children, since the collapse of the ceasefire.

He said large-scale Israeli bombardments and ground operations have resulted in widespread destruction and the displacement of over one hundred thousand Palestinians from Rafah in the last two days alone.

Antonio Guterres also expressed his shock over the attack by the Israeli army on a medical and emergency convoy on 23rd of last month, killing fifteen medical personnel and humanitarian workers in Gaza.

He said medical personnel and humanitarian and emergency workers must be protected by all parties to the conflict at all times, as required by international humanitarian law.

Since October 2023, at least 408 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, at least 280 of whom were the UN staff.