Israel has brought 'relentless death and destruction' to Gaza: UN chief

Israel's military campaign in Gaza has brought "relentless death and destruction" to Palestinians in the strip, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. In a speech marking six months since Israel's war on Gaza began, the UN chief said that "nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people." Respect for international humanitarian law is in tatters," he added. "During my visit to the Rafah crossing 10 days ago, I met veteran humanitarians who told me categorically that the crisis and suffering in Gaza is unlike any they have ever seen," Guterres said, adding that long lines of trucks with aid continued to face "obstacle after obstacle". "When the gates to aid are closed, the doors to starvation are opened," he said. "More than half the population – over a million people – are facing catastrophic hunger.