Guterres Urges Israel to Reopen Gaza Crossings as Iran-Israel Clash Tests April Ceasefire
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 9
Guterres Urges Israel to Reopen Gaza Crossings as Iran-Israel Clash Tests April Ceasefire
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 9
Summary
Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed” by the latest Middle East violence and urged all attacks to stop immediately, while calling on Israel to reopen Gaza crossings for aid.
Israel struck targets in Iran on Monday after Iran fired missiles at Israel in retaliation for earlier Israeli strikes on Beirut, marking the first direct exchange since the April ceasefire.
Trump helped halt the latest Israel-Iran exchange on Monday, but both sides left open the possibility of renewed fighting, threatening Washington’s push for a deal with Tehran to end their more than 3-month war.
Guterres said Israel’s Gaza crossing closures must be reversed to allow rapid, safe humanitarian deliveries under a U.S.-brokered truce in place since October 2025.
That Gaza ceasefire has remained fragile: health officials say Israeli strikes have killed more than 950 people since it began, while Israel says militants have killed four soldiers.
In early June 2026, a major clash between Israel and Iran led to Israel closing all land crossings into Gaza indefinitely. This sudden move caused immediate and severe consequences for the Palestinian territories, especially for Gaza’s population of over two million people. The closure sparked deep humanitarian concerns, as residents faced growing anxiety about accessing food, medical care, and other essentials. The restriction on movement and goods has made daily life even harder for Gaza’s vulnerable population, highlighting how regional conflict can quickly escalate into a humanitarian crisis with far-reaching impacts.