The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that nothing can justify Israel’s collective punishment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasized on Wednesday that collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza cannot be justified in any way.

This came in a joint press conference with the head of the European Commission in Brussels.

“Nowadays, over half of the population is facing catastrophic hunger. This is unprecedented and worsening day by day. We must act now before it is too late,” Guterres urged.

Guterres appealed to Israel to ensure “full and unrestricted” access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza and for the international community to fully support the United Nations’ humanitarian efforts.

He also stressed that all international actors must “continue to do everything possible to stop the killings, achieve an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and ensure the release of Israeli hostages.”

“Nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” stated Guterres, who called on the international community to unite to “silence the guns.”