UN chief 'appalled' as Gaza conflict defies Ramadan

Speaking after the failure of attempts to negotiate a ceasefire, Guterrescalled for "silencing the guns" in Gaza and warned that "hunger andmalnutrition" are taking hold.
"This is heartbreaking and utterly unacceptable," Guterres told reporters."I am appalled and outraged that conflict is continuing in Gaza during thisholy month," he said, adding that "all obstacles" to aid delivery should beremoved.
The United Nations says that lack of humanitarian aid means famine is agrowing risk in Gaza, where 2.4 million people are under near-total siege bythe Israeli military, as it battles Hamas militants.
The war, started by a bloody October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has resultedin the deaths of 31,112 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according tothe health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
US President Joe Biden called for a temporary ceasefire ahead of Ramadanbut his call went unanswered as Muslims in Gaza marked the start of theone-month holiday Monday, reports BSS.
Guterres said, "The eyes of history are watching."
"We cannot look away. We must act to avoid more preventable deaths,"Guterres said.
"We have witnessed month after month of civilian killing and destruction ata level that is unprecedented in all my years as Secretary-General," he said.But aid "is coming in trickles - if it comes at all. Internationalhumanitarian law lies in tatters."