World

Guterres ‘disturbed’ by Israeli military activity in Rafah

(FILES) In this file photo United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during a press briefing at United Nations Headquarters on February 4, 2020 in New York City. - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged governments to include the protection of women in their response to the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic. Reports of domestic violence have surged globally in the wake of massive lockdowns imposed to contain the spread of the disease."Violence is not confined to the battlefield," said Guterres in a statement and video released in multiple languages, days after his call for a worldwide ceasefire in the wake of the outbreak."Violence is not confined to the battlefield," said Guterres in a statement and video released in multiple languages, days after his call for a worldwide ceasefire in the wake of the outbreak. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday voiced his concern about the “renewed” Israeli military activity in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, underlining that the closure of southern border crossings into the Palestinian enclave is “especially damaging” to the “already dire humanitarian situation.”

Guterres underscored that the region is at risk of an “explosion” of tensions, and called on Israel to reopen the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings “immediately.”

“An agreement between the government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and of the hostages and their families,” Guterres stressed during the press briefing, urging both parties to “spare no effort” to secure an agreement “now.”