Yesterday on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted two years of suffering in Gaza and welcomed the recent ceasefire as a glimmer of hope for the region.
“The killing of so many civilians, the repeated displacement of an entire population and the obstruction of humanitarian aid should never be acceptable under any circumstances,” Guterres said, underlining the urgent need to uphold international norms and laws.
He called on all parties to respect the ceasefire fully, allow lifesaving aid to enter Gaza at scale, and support UNRWA, the UN relief agency for Palestinians. “I repeat my call for an end to the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian Territory … and for irreversible progress towards a two-state solution, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions,” he added.
UN estimates point to tens of thousands of lives lost, widespread displacement, surging hunger and disease since late 2023. The message frames the two-state solution—Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states—as the only viable path forward.
The observance on November 29 dates back to 1977, marking the anniversary of the 1947 UN General Assembly vote on the partition of Palestine. Guterres’ message this year urges the international community to stand in solidarity, defend the rights to dignity, justice and self-determination, and work together to build a peaceful future for all.
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UN chief reiterates call for progress toward two-state solution
cgtn.com
