By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday criticized Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip for more than two months.
Speaking at the Security Council's open debate on Palestine, Guterres said he was "alarmed" by statements from Israeli officials suggesting humanitarian aid could be leveraged as a military tactic.
"Aid is non-negotiable," he said, adding that "Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them."
Guterres said the situation remains dire, with "no end in sight to the killing and misery."
He added that the collapse of a ceasefire agreement on March 18 ended hopes for the release of hostages and the delivery of lifesaving aid.
Turning to the broader conflict, Guterres warned that the prospect of a two-state solution is "at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance" and a political commitment to the long-standing goal is "farther than it has ever been."
"The world cannot afford to watch the two-state solution disappear," he said, as he urged global leaders to act decisively.
"Political leaders face clear choices; the choice to be silent, the choice to acquiesce, or the choice to act," said Guterres.