TOKYO — During the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, UN Secretary General António Guterres renewed his urgent call for a ceasefire in Gaza following the recent escalation of conflict in the region. The appeal on Thursday came in the wake of the Israeli military’s newly launched offensive, which has intensified fears of further humanitarian crises.

Guterres emphasized the dire need for peace, stating, “It is vital to immediately reach a ceasefire in Gaza.” He also criticized the Israeli authorities' expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, urging a reversal of these decisions, which he declared a clear violation of international law.

A UN press release accompanying Guterres’ statement highlighted alarming health statistics from the region. According to data from UNRWA clinics, incidents of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza City have tripled in just the past six months, underscoring the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on vulnerable populations.

Further exacerbating tensions, the Israeli military is reportedly using advanced technology such as quadcopters to broadcast evacuation orders to residents of Jabalya, a densely populated area in northern Gaza. This action has spurred concerns about potential mass displacements, which are prohibited under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The urgency of Guterres’ ceasefire plea is amplified by recent warnings from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who cautioned that the Israeli offensive could threaten the very existence of Palestinians in Gaza. Similarly, Amnesty International has accused Israel of deliberately starving Palestinians, labeling it a genocidal act.

Last week, UN experts reported that Israeli forces have been targeting Gaza’s healthcare system, a grave violation of international law termed as “medicide.” In response, the EU Humanitarian Aid Operations issued a statement criticizing Israeli restrictions that severely hinder NGOs from delivering essential aid to Gaza.

As international outcry grows, the global community watches closely, hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life and violation of human rights in the region. The situation remains tense, with the world leaders and humanitarian organizations calling for immediate action to protect the citizens of Gaza.