UN chief says living situation in Gaza can be described as "famine"

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday that the word "famine" could be used to describe the living situation in Gaza.

"Just when it seems there are no words left to describe the living hell in Gaza, a new one has been added: 'famine,'" Guterres said in a statement.

"This is not a mystery -- it is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself," he said, noting that famine is not only about food, but also the deliberate collapse of the systems needed for human survival. He warned that people were starving, children dying, and those with the duty to act were failing.

"As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law -- including the duty of ensuring food and medical supplies of the population," he said, adding that this situation could not be allowed to continue with impunity.

"No more excuses. The time for action is not tomorrow -- it is now. We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, and full, unfettered humanitarian access," Guterres said.

Senior UN officials warned on Friday that Gaza is facing a severe famine caused by Israeli restrictions and obstruction of humanitarian aid, calling for an immediate ceasefire and full, unimpeded access to deliver food and supplies to civilians in urgent need. ■