UN Humanitarian Chief to Security Council: History Will Judge Inaction in Gaza

In a powerful and urgent address to the UN Security Council on May 13, 2025, Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He emphasized that Israel is creating inhumane conditions for civilians through total blockade and forced displacement, warning that 2.1 million Palestinians face famine, with one in five at risk of starvation. Fletcher detailed the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, and targeted attacks on aid workers, calling the situation a “21st century atrocity.” He urged the Council to uphold international law and allow the UN to resume life-saving operations, emphasizing that current Israeli-controlled aid modalities are unacceptable and harmful. Fletcher also highlighted the worsening violence in the West Bank and broader threats to international humanitarian norms. Citing past UN failures in places like Rwanda and Srebrenica, he warned that future generations will judge today’s inaction harshly. He called for an immediate end to the blockade, accountability for violations, and urgent action from the Security Council to prevent further atrocities. His message was clear: history will not forgive silence or half-measures in the face of such widespread suffering. Read the statement: https://www.un.org/unispal/document/u... Subscribe to the UNISPAL mailing list https://app.mdirector.com/render-subs...