The high-level assembly attended by overseas ministers and senior officers – got here amid Israel’s intensifying army operation to wrest full management of Gaza Metropolis, rising hunger and rising worldwide recognition of Palestinian statehood.
“The Israeli army onslaught in Gaza Metropolis is compounding an already catastrophic humanitarian disaster,” Mr. Guterres stated.
“Numerous Palestinian civilians and the remaining hostages are trapped underneath relentless bombardment and disadvantaged of meals, water, electrical energy, and drugs. Famine is a actuality.”
Respect worldwide regulation
He repeated his appeals for a right away and everlasting ceasefire, the unconditional launch of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian entry.
“UN resolutions proceed to be ignored. Worldwide humanitarian regulation violated. Impunity prevails. And our collective credibility is being undermined,” he warned.
He additionally reiterated his name for a right away everlasting ceasefire, the unconditional launch of all hostages; and unhindered humanitarian entry to all these in want throughout the Strip.
Deepening instability
The Secretary-Basic stated the battle is spreading past Gaza to the West Financial institution and the broader area, citing the Israeli strike on Qatar earlier this month as “not solely a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” but in addition a menace to “the very norms and mechanisms we depend on for diplomacy and battle decision.”
“Efforts to safe a ceasefire and hostage launch deal – led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US – suffered a critical blow on 9 September,” he stated.
Protect two-State answer
Turning to the political horizon, Mr. Guterres warned the two-State answer is eroding amid “relentless settlement enlargement. De facto annexation. Compelled displacement,” he stated.
“If carried out, Israel’s current approval of settlement development within the E1 space would sever the occupied West Financial institution – destroying the territorial contiguity of a Palestinian State,” he famous.
He referred to as Israeli settlements “a flagrant violation of worldwide regulation” and urged extra worldwide assist to stabilise the Palestinian Authority, which he stated is going through “an existential disaster” underneath fiscal and political strain.
‘A glimmer of hope’
Nonetheless, he pointed to a “glimmer of hope” within the resumption of the worldwide convention on the two-State answer, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
Recognition of Palestinian statehood by extra international locations, together with France and the UK, he stated, confirmed momentum that should be seized.
“A simply and lasting peace won’t ever be constructed by means of extra violence,” Mr. Guterres concluded. “It calls for a collective dedication – to diplomacy, to worldwide regulation, to the dignity of all folks.”
