UN reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire as limited aid deliveries resume

United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a New York press briefing that Secretary‑General António Guterres has called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and "the rapid, safe, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale" after Israeli authorities temporarily allowed a limited delivery of aid into Gaza.

The remark came as UN humanitarian officials reported that Israeli authorities permitted what the UN was told would be nine trucks carrying mainly nutrition supplies to cross from Israel into a pickup zone for collection inside Gaza. Dujarric said the supplies had not been picked up by UN teams by the time of the briefing because of security and daylight concerns and that "9 trucks is better than no trucks, but we need a massive uptick of humanitarian aid."

Why it matters: UN and humanitarian partners warn that civilian needs in Gaza far exceed the small, intermittent deliveries that authorities have allowed. Dujarric and the UN emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, said a sustained, scaled flow of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies is required to avoid famine, reduce looting and protect civilians and aid workers.

Dujarric said the secretary‑general is "alarmed by the intensification of Israeli air strikes and ground…