"UN Warns of Impending Catastrophe as Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalates"

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has warned that the Middle East is on the "verge of the abyss" as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. Guterres called on Hamas to release hostages and urged Israel to grant unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, where hospitals are running out of fuel reserves. The UN is seeking to move aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which is set to temporarily open. US President Joe Biden stated that an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a "big mistake" but emphasized the need to eliminate extremists and work towards a path to a Palestinian state.