“For the sake of the people of Gaza, for the sake of the hostages and their families in Israel, and for the sake of the region and the world at large, I strongly encourage the government of Israel and the Hamas leadership to reach an agreement now,” he urged in a press appearance.

The high representative considered negotiation indispensable in the face of the unbearable consequences of an escalation in Rafah governorate that would kill thousands more civilians and force hundreds of thousands to flee.

“All members of the Security Council, and many other governments, have clearly expressed their opposition to such an operation.

I call on all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to prevent it, he remarked.

Guterres called on Tel Aviv’s allies to act as he recalled that more than 1.2 million people are now seeking refuge in Rafah, most of them fleeing Israeli shelling.

“They have very little to eat, almost no access to medical care, little shelter and nowhere safe to go”, he lamented.

In northern Gaza, he added, everything from sick children to people with disabilities are already dying of starvation and disease.

We must do everything possible to prevent a totally avoidable and man-made famine,’ the UN chief stressed.

In addition, he demanded protection for hospitals, health workers, patients and all civilians along with respect for the human rights of all.

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