GAZA CITY, August 29, 2025 — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned what he called an “endless catalogue of horrors” in Gaza, as the territory’s civil defense reported that at least 31 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire since dawn.
The remarks came as Israel signaled plans to expand its military operations in Gaza City, even as the UN has declared a famine in the besieged enclave.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has denounced the “endless catalogue of horrors” unfolding in Gaza and has called for accountability after nearly two years of Israel’s war on the besieged enclave.
— in pictures https://t.co/PyDVRPOkOV pic.twitter.com/cqNG0eE2nK
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 29, 2025
Guterres Calls for Accountability
Speaking to journalists, Guterres said:
“Gaza is piled with rubble, piled with bodies, and piled with examples of what may be serious violations of international law.”
He stressed the need for accountability and warned that the humanitarian situation was deteriorating at an alarming pace.
Rising Civilian Toll
According to Gaza’s civil defense agency:
- 31 people were killed across the territory since morning.
- Six victims were shot while waiting for desperately needed aid in the south.
- Entire neighborhoods in Gaza City have been reduced to rubble amid heavy Israeli bombardment.
AFP photos showed long lines of Palestinians fleeing south, with cars and vans loaded with mattresses, chairs, and bags. Many displaced families said they had no shelter left.
One resident, Aya Daher, displaced from the Zeitoun district, said:
“There were explosions all night. I was injured, my husband was injured, and my son was wounded in the head. Thank God we survived, but there were martyrs.”
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military said it was preparing to “expand operations against Hamas in Gaza City.” Officials told reporters they required “precise times and coordinates” to look into the reported deaths.
Military spokespersons added that Israeli troops were operating “against terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) chief Cindy McCain warned that Gaza was “at breaking point,” appealing for the urgent reopening of 200 food distribution points shut down by the fighting.
The UN last week formally declared a famine in Gaza, blaming what it called Israel’s systematic obstruction of aid deliveries. Rights experts have also expressed alarm over reports of enforced disappearances at aid sites, where starving Palestinians have been shot while waiting in line.
US Visa Ban on Palestinian Officials
In a separate development, the United States announced it will deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority ahead of next month’s UN General Assembly in New York.
A State Department statement said:
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio is denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly.”
Context
- Nearly one million people still live in Gaza governorate, which includes Gaza City and its surroundings.
- Israel has restricted aid entry to four distribution sites, with repeated reports of Palestinians being shot while waiting for food.
- The war has displaced the vast majority of Gaza’s over two million residents at least once.
Key Facts
- Deaths Reported Today: 31, including 6 at aid distribution site
- UN Declaration: Famine in Gaza (August 2025)
- Israeli Plans: Expand operations against Hamas in Gaza City
- Humanitarian Appeal: WFP calls for reopening of 200 food points
- US Action: Visa bans on Palestinian Authority officials before UNGA
The situation in Gaza remains critical as the humanitarian crisis worsens. With famine officially declared and the civilian toll rising daily, international calls are intensifying for Israel to halt its offensive and for urgent humanitarian access to the besieged enclave.
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