New York, Jan.3 (SANA)– UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by the Israeli authorities’ announcement to suspend the operations of several international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In a statement on Friday, Guterres called the work of the groups “indispensable to life-saving humanitarian work”, according to spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. He added that the “suspension risks undermining the fragile progress made during the ceasefire.”
Dujarric added Guterres emphasized that Israel must allow humanitarian aid to pass without obstruction to all civilians in need, in accordance with its obligations under international law.
He warned that the Israeli measure would significantly exacerbate the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians, especially after previous restrictions had already delayed the entry of essential food, medical supplies, shelter materials and hygiene items into Gaza Strip.
Dujarric also conveyed Guterres’s affirmation of the need for all humanitarian partners to be able to operate safely and in line with humanitarian principles.
In a statement issued yesterday, 53 international non-governmental organizations warned that recent Israeli measures to terminate registrations threaten to halt their operations in the occupied Palestinian territories at a time when Palestinians are facing acute humanitarian needs.
They also explained that 37 organizations have received official notices of the termination of their registration, requiring them to cease their work within 60 days.
