UN Secretary-General António Guterres Urges Immediate Action for Lasting Peace in the Middle East
In a powerful address to the Security Council on Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the critical need for supporting efforts towards lasting peace in the Middle East. With recent escalations in the region, Guterres highlighted the urgency of establishing a “fully independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel” to prevent further volatility and violence.
Guterres warned of the dire consequences of failing to make progress towards a two-state solution, stating that it could lead to a full-scale regional conflict with devastating effects for millions of people in the region and beyond. He condemned Iran’s large-scale attack on Israel and called for an end to the cycle of retaliation.
The Secretary-General stressed the importance of maximum restraint and diplomacy to prevent further escalation, particularly in Gaza. He called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages held in the enclave, denouncing the terror attacks by Hamas and other armed groups as a violation of international law.
Guterres also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have led to tens of thousands of deaths and two million Palestinians facing famine. He called for a significant increase in humanitarian aid delivery to avert imminent famine and preventable deaths.
In addition, Guterres urged Israel to end settler violence in the occupied West Bank and address the explosive situation in Lebanon along the Blue Line. He highlighted the risks posed by armed confrontations in the Red Sea, emphasizing the need for restraint to avoid further escalation and humanitarian repercussions.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, Guterres’s call for immediate action and international cooperation is more crucial than ever to achieve lasting peace in the region.