Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East. UN Security Council on the Middle East: Guterres urged to “avoid regional war at all costs” Peace and Security
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal. The General Assembly has demanded that the country comply with the ruling. The UN Secretary-General recalled this in his speech at the Security Council meeting devoted to the situation in Gaza.
He called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a lasting peace.
Almost a year into the outbreak of violence
António Guterres opened the meeting, which brought together foreign ministers from several countries, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The UN Secretary-General noted that almost a year has passed since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out “horrific” attacks against Israel.
“I once again strongly condemn these attacks and the hostage-taking. Nothing can justify such actions,” the Secretary-General emphasized, reporting that he had met again this week with the families of the hostages.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians killed
Since October 7, tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, including many women and children, have been killed by ongoing Israeli bombing and fighting. Countless others have been wounded, maimed and scarred for life, the UN chief recalled. “Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he added.
Violations committed by one side cannot be used to justify violations by the other side, António Guterres stressed.
He added that violence also continues in the occupied West Bank, including in East Jerusalem.
The threat of regional escalation
Today, as the Secretary-General noted, there is a great risk that the violence will engulf the entire region, “and that a full-scale conflagration will break out with unimaginable consequences.”
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Lebanon crisis: UN warns of further deterioration
The Israel Defense Forces struck civilian buildings in Beirut today, saying they were targeting Hezbollah headquarters, Guterres said.
The war in Lebanon could lead to further escalation with the involvement of outside forces, he warned. “I fully support the proposal for a temporary ceasefire – with the possibility of delivering humanitarian aid and paving the way for the resumption of serious negotiations for a lasting peace. We need this ceasefire now,” Guterres stressed. “We cannot afford endless negotiations, as is happening with Gaza. We must avoid a regional war at all costs.”
Gaza remains the epicentre of violence and is key to ending it, UN chief warns.