UN Chief Demands End to Gaza Conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged an end to the devastating conflict in Gaza, stating it is the worst destruction he has witnessed in his tenure of over seven years. Offering UN monitoring for any ceasefire, Guterres highlighted that ongoing violence and massive displacement of Gaza's population require immediate international attention. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the UN's limited role due to Israel's likely resistance to UN involvement.

Highlighting a ceasefire's urgency, Guterres remarked on the unprecedented suffering in Gaza. The conflict, triggered on Oct. 7 by Hamas' attacks on Israel, has led to over 40,900 Palestinian deaths and significant displacement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized UN humanitarian efforts and rejected external pressure for a ceasefire, stating, "No one will preach to me."

Guterres stressed the necessity of a two-state solution, despite Netanyahu's opposition. "Is it possible ... [to] have 5 million Palestinians living there without any rights?" he questioned, referencing apartheid. He argued that mutual respect and equality are crucial for peace, emphasizing that a two-state framework is essential for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Word Count: 166 (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)