UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the international community to push for a full ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza, emphasizing that “we cannot go back to more death and destruction”.
Guterres made this appeal during a session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, where he addressed the dire situation in Gaza.
He noted that the realization of Palestinian rights has “steadily slipped farther out of reach” amidst “systematic dehumanization and demonization” of the Palestinian people.
The UN chief condemned the horrific Hamas attacks and the devastating consequences of the conflict, including nearly 50,000 reported deaths, mainly women and children, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.
He also expressed concern over the repeated displacement, hunger, and disease faced by the majority of the population, with children out of school for over a year.
Guterres welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, thanking mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for their efforts.
He emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire, release of all hostages, and adherence to international law to avoid ethnic cleansing.