The Secretary-General of the United Nations issues an urgent call: immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemnation of settlement activities.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, issued an urgent call to the international community, urging the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized the importance of the unconditional release of all detainees, warning of the catastrophic consequences of any imminent military operation by the occupation against the besieged sector.

Guterres pointed out that any new attack on Gaza would inevitably lead to widespread death and destruction, necessitating urgent action to protect civilian lives. He noted that the top priority must be to avoid exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy that the sector is suffering from.

In a related context, Guterres strongly condemned the settlement policy pursued by the Israeli occupation in the occupied Palestinian territories. He called on the occupation to retract its decision to expand the construction of illegal settlements, indicating that this step threatens to divide the West Bank and undermines the chances of achieving a two-state solution.

Guterres affirmed that the construction of settlements in all its forms constitutes a blatant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. He explained that these unilateral actions seriously undermine the prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.

Guterres's call comes at a sensitive time, as the occupation announced plans to expand its military operations in Gaza and proceed with the construction of thousands of new settlement units. He confirmed that his focus on three key issues – a ceasefire, the release of detainees, and halting settlement expansion – reflects a comprehensive vision of the requirements for de-escalation and reviving the peace process.

Guterres urged the Security Council and active international powers to take concrete steps to enforce respect for international law and avoid a wider humanitarian disaster. He emphasized that the situation in Gaza requires immediate international action to preserve lives and prevent further escalation.