Guterres rejects new Israeli proposal on control of aid delivery in the Gaza Strip

(Patria) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres rejected a new Israeli proposal on control of aid delivery in Gaza, saying it could lead to "further control and callous restriction of aid 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 principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality - Guterres told reporters.

No aid has been delivered to the Palestinian enclave of about 2.1 million people since March 2.

Israel said it would not allow all goods and supplies to enter Gaza until Palestinian Hamas militants release all remaining hostages.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency coordinating aid, met last week with UN agencies and international aid groups and said it proposed a "structured mechanism for monitoring and entry of aid" into Gaza.

"The mechanism is designed to support humanitarian organizations, improve oversight and accountability, and ensure that aid reaches the civilian population in need, rather than being diverted and stolen by Hamas," COGAT posted on platform X on Sunday.

Jonathan Whittall, a senior UN aid official for Gaza and the West Bank, said last week there was no evidence of aid diversion.

Israel resumed its bombing of Gaza last month after a two-month truce and sent troops back into the enclave.

- Gaza is a killing field, and civilians are in an endless cycle of death - Guterres said, again calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a permanent ceasefire and full humanitarian access to Gaza.

He added that UN deliveries were prevented due to "closed crossings into Gaza and the blockade of aid".

- As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law, which includes international humanitarian law and international human rights protection.

That means Israel should facilitate aid programs and ensure food, medical care, hygiene and public health standards in Gaza. None of that is happening today - Guterres stressed.