US should bluntly stop Israel from attacking Rafah: Guterres

Geneva: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern over any Israeli military action in Rafah, saying that the attack would have devastating humanitarian effects.

Antonio Guterres called on the US to stop Israel from attacking Rafah during an interview broadcast by the Qatari Broadcasting Agency, saying that the US should take a blunt position and stop Israel from attacking Rafah.

He also considered the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as the cornerstone of aid in Gaza and reiterated the UN's commitment to UNRWA's principles of neutrality.

The UN Secretary General appealed to all donor countries to resume aid to UNRWA.

He expressed hope that negotiations on the cease-fire in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners would continue.

It is pertinent to note that more than 34,000 Palestinians have been martyred and more than 77,000 have been injured in Gaza since October 7.

It is believed that the actual number of martyrs may be much higher as many bodies may still be buried in the rubble of the destroyed buildings.