Iran (IMNA) - This visit comes as Israel threatens to initiate a major military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border, despite international appeals against such an attack. Over 2.3 million residents of Gaza are currently seeking shelter, with the majority concentrating around Rafah, although conditions in the northern part of the strip are reported to be even worse.
Guterres arrived in Al Arish, located in Egypt's northern Sinai, where a significant portion of international aid for Gaza is delivered and stored. Regional Governor Mohamed Shusha welcomed Guterres and mentioned that approximately 7,000 trucks are waiting in North Sinai to transport aid to Gaza. However, the Secretary-General was informed that the flow of relief has been delayed due to inspection procedures demanded by Israel.
During his visit, Guterres is expected to tour a hospital in Al Arish where Palestinians evacuated from Gaza are receiving medical attention and meet UN humanitarian workers at the Rafah crossing, one of the entry points for aid. As hopes for a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan have diminished and the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened, countries, including the United States, have attempted to deliver more relief supplies through air drops and ships. Nevertheless, humanitarian agencies report that only about one-fifth of the required amount of supplies has entered Gaza, and they emphasize the urgent need to rapidly accelerate land-based deliveries to address the crisis in the coastal enclave.
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