UN representative says Gaza faces 'starvation' as humanitarian access remains inadequate

A United Nations representative told the Security Council that Gaza—aces "starvation, pure and simple" and called for immediate steps to ensure predictable humanitarian access and the release of hostages.

The representative said the conflict in Gaza has lasted for more than 670 days and cited casualty figures "according to Gaza's Ministry of Health," saying more than 61,000 people have been killed, including at least 18,000 children, and about 151,000 injured. The speaker added that about 50 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza.

The representative described humanitarian conditions as "beyond horrific," saying lifelines are collapsing under sustained hostilities, forced displacement and insufficient aid. "We have frankly run out of words to describe it," the speaker said, and noted that hospitals are operating without adequate medical supplies and that water and sanitation systems are near collapse.

Drawing on recent operational developments, the speaker said limited amounts of fuel have been allowed into Gaza and that Israeli authorities in May approved a mechanism for a gradual resumption of controlled commercial goods, which has led to some food returning to markets and slight price decreases. The representative warned, however, that the changes have not produced meaningful improvement for the population because fighting and inadequate crossing arrangements continue.

The statement said humanitarian missions can still be delayed or endangered, sometimes taking more than 18 hours with teams stranded on roads, and that registration processes introduced by Israeli authorities earlier in the year risk undermining nongovernmental operational capacity.

The representative cited humanitarian-worker casualties, saying "over 500 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since hostilities escalated," including at least 167 women, and urged protection for aid personnel as World Humanitarian Day approached.

Referencing international legal steps, the speaker noted that the International Court of Justice's provisional measures in the case on the application of the Genocide Convention in Gaza "remain in place," and repeated calls that Israel "agree to and facilitate humanitarian relief operations both into and within the Gaza Strip to reach the population in need."

The representative also warned of worsening conditions in the West Bank, where the statement said military operations, settler violence and home demolitions have continued. The speaker urged Security Council members and the international community to act, saying "life and dignity should be respected for all" and that "the suffering must stop."