UNITED NATIONS, Aug 20 (Alliance News): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring ongoing negotiations in Doha aimed at ending the devastating conflict in Gaza, where Israeli bombardments have continued for over 10 months, leaving the situation dire, according to his spokesperson.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Monday that the Secretary-General had a conversation with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Sunday to stay updated on the situation.
The talks, supported by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, are expected to resume in Cairo later this week, following recent discussions in Doha involving these nations and Israel.
Guterres expressed hope that the parties involved will find the courage and willpower to reach an agreement for the sake of both the people of Gaza and Israel, as well as the hostages involved.
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with waves of displacement, overcrowding, ongoing hostilities, and crumbling infrastructure. The Gazan health ministry reports over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 92,000 injuries due to the conflict, with nearly 90% of the population displaced.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the ongoing violence and evacuation orders are making it increasingly difficult for displaced families to access basic services. Gaza’s population has become concentrated in a small zone designated by Israeli authorities, where living conditions have drastically worsened.
Hospitals in northern Gaza are also struggling due to severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies. The Al Awda Hospital has postponed all surgeries, and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has warned that its emergency services could come to a halt due to a lack of fuel.
