NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, following a proposal put forward by the United States.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Guterres commended the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye in brokering what he described as a “desperately needed breakthrough.”
The Secretary-General urged all parties to fully adhere to the terms of the agreement, emphasizing that:
All hostages must be released in a dignified manner.
A permanent ceasefire must be established. Immediate and unimpeded humanitarian and commercial access to Gaza must be ensured.
Fighting must stop once and for all to end the ongoing suffering.
Guterres reaffirmed that the UN would support the full implementation of the agreement and scale up delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as advance recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Highlighting the broader stakes, he called on stakeholders to seize the opportunity to establish a credible political path toward ending the occupation and recognizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
He stressed that this could pave the way for a two-state solution, enabling both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.
“The stakes have never been higher,” Guterres warned, urging the international community to act decisively.
