United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning that Israel’s latest military push into Gaza City could escalate violence and civilian suffering. Guterres made these comments while attending a development conference in Tokyo on Thursday. He stressed that halting the offensive is essential to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
Israel has begun steps to take control of Gaza City, the region’s most populated area. It has already deployed tens of thousands of reservists. Despite international criticism, Israel continues its advance and now controls about 75% of Gaza. The operation could displace thousands more Palestinians, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel. The group killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a full-scale military campaign in Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the conflict has killed at least 60,000 Palestinians so far.
Guterres also called for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. At the same time, he criticized Israel’s decision to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. He said the move is illegal under international law and undermines hopes for peace. The expansion plan would cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank.
Palestinian officials said the new settlements would isolate their communities. They believe this action could destroy chances for a two-state solution. The Israeli government approved the plan just one day before Guterres’s statement. The international community remains concerned about both the violence in Gaza and actions in the West Bank.