UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that a ceasefire in Gaza, while urgent, will not be enough to bring lasting peace to the region. In remarks delivered Monday, Guterres said only a two-state solution—where both Israelis and Palestinians can fully exercise their rights—can lay the foundation for a just and durable resolution.
“A ceasefire is essential, but it must lead to something more,” Guterres said. “That solution can only be possible if both Palestinians and Israelis have a state where they can live in dignity and security.”
Calling the current situation in Gaza “horrific,” Guterres described a humanitarian nightmare marked by unprecedented destruction, widespread death, and the collapse of basic human conditions. “The idea that five million people can live on their own land without rights is not only unthinkable—it is contrary to humanity and to international law,” he said.
The Secretary-General also announced plans for a high-level international conference on the two-state solution to be held later this month. He expressed hope that despite the immense suffering and mistrust, the warring sides could move toward a political resolution.
“We absolutely need a permanent ceasefire in Gaza,” Guterres urged, adding that the international community must push beyond temporary truces and address the root causes of the decades-long conflict.
Israel has rejected repeated global appeals for a ceasefire, continuing a brutal military campaign in Gaza that began in October 2023. According to local health authorities, more than 58,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed. The offensive has leveled much of the enclave, triggering mass displacement, critical food shortages, and the rapid spread of disease.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the war shows little sign of slowing, as calls grow louder for accountability and urgent humanitarian access. Guterres’ message is clear: ceasefire alone is not peace—it is only the beginning.
