UN chief rejects Israeli Gaza aid proposal

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday rejected a new Israeli proposal for controlling humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, saying it risked restricting essential supplies “down to the last calorie and grain of flour”.

“Let me be clear: We will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters.

The Secretary-General’s comments come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid organisations have struggled to deliver food, medicine and other necessities.

The Israeli proposal, which has not been publicly detailed, reportedly outlined new mechanisms for aid distribution that would give Israeli authorities greater oversight of deliveries entering the territory.

Guterres did not elaborate on specific aspects of the proposal but emphasised the UN’s position that humanitarian operations must remain independent.