António Guterres spoke at a press conference during the second World Summit for Social Development in the Qatari capital.
He was asked about coordination with Israel and US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which includes the deployment of a temporary international stabilization force in the enclave, developed by US, Arab and international partners.
Increasing aid is essential
The Secretary-General declared that the United Nations is “actively engaged in ensuring that humanitarian aid increases significantly» in Gaza and reaches the entire population.
He added that the United States “has contributed to Israel at least gradually eliminating some of the obstacles and difficulties that remain” in this regard.
“On the other hand, we very actively support the principle that the ceasefire must be respected, all parties must respect the ceasefire, there must be a link between Gaza and the West Bank in how the next step will be implemented,” he continued.
“And that this must lead to a two-state solution and the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. »
The Secretary General stressed that the UN positions “have been very clear” and do not depend “on cooperation with this or that country”.
American draft resolution
He noted that the United States was developing a Security Council resolution on Gaza in consultation with other active members, but the UN Secretariat is not involved in the discussions.
“What we believe is that any entity created in Gaza should have the legitimacy of a Security Council mandate“, he said.
Asked if this included the international force, he replied that “that’s one of the things that was discussed” and “it would be important to have the training and education of a Palestinian police force.”
He said: “This transition must lead to a situation in which both parties [Gaza and the West Bank] are united and that the Palestinian Authority exercises its full authority.
Humanitarian efforts continue
Meanwhile, humanitarians continue to intensify their operations in the Gaza Strip, in line with the 60-day response plan, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters in New York.
He said the UN and partners collected 80 truckloads of supplies on Sunday, including food, animal fodder, shelter materials, winter clothing and hygiene items. This total does not include bilateral and commercial deliveries.
“Our partners report that, based on preliminary data, they collected nearly 750 pallets of relief items in Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem yesterday and transported them to Gaza City,” he said.
“Four other trucks delivered medicines and medical supplies. Traffic jams and heavy traffic continue to hamper collection efforts.”
Nearly a million fed
Since the resumption of general food distributions on October 13, nearly a million people, or half the population, have received assistance via 46 distribution points managed by humanitarian partners.
“We continue to try to expand this program so that this month families can receive two monthly food packages, compared to one in October,” he said.
Between mid-October and last Sunday, the UN and its partners collected more than 210 tonnes of animal fodder from the crossing points, and distribution to some 1,700 herders in Deir al-Balah is almost complete.
Partners providing nutrition services also collected more than 120,000 packets of fortified cereals, used to prevent acute malnutrition in children. This amount is enough to support a large number of children for a month.
Mr Haq said other partners providing water and sanitation services continue to scale up their interventions.
Humanitarians also helped local authorities rehabilitate three wells supplying neighborhoods in Gaza City.
