UN chief pushes for Gaza truce to become full humanitarian cease-fire
![](https://cdn.classfmonline.com/cfoZ41e/imagelib/thumbs/91939005.jpg)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pushed on Monday for a full humanitarian cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas instead of a temporary truce, as the "humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is getting worse by the day."
Egyptian, Qatari and U.S. negotiators closed in on an extension of a four-day truce in Gaza that expires on Monday, Egyptian security sources said, amid growing global pressure to roll over a deal which has paused seven weeks of fighting.
"The dialog that led to the agreement must continue, resulting in a full humanitarian cease-fire, for the benefit of the people of Gaza, Israel and the wider region," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
"The United Nations will continue to support these efforts in every possible way," he said.
Guterres again called for the hostages held by Hamas to be released immediately and unconditionally, Dujarric said.
The United Nations has scaled up the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza over the past four days during the truce and sent aid to some northern areas of the coastal enclave that had been largely cut off for weeks, Dujarric said.
"But this aid barely registers against the huge needs of 1.7 million displaced people. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is getting worse by the day," he said.
Source: reuters.com
Trending World
Kenyan president appoints opposition ministers to his Cabinet amid political unrest
06:23Police filmed stamping on man’s head at airport
06:34Kenya: Ruto appoints main opposition leader Raila Odinga to his cabinet
03:04US, Saudi Arabia invite Sudan’s warring factions to peace talks
00:26Anti-war protesters gather at US Capitol ahead of Netanyahu address to Congress
19:16Netanyahu seeks to bolster US support with Congress speech
13:45UK royals to get extra £45m as Crown Estate profits soar
13:21India to spend billions of dollars on job creation
13:06Death toll in Ethiopian mudslides rises to 229
13:02Kamala Harris slams Trump over 'fear and hate' at first rally
06:17