Guterres: Gaza's suffering is severe and must end immediately

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the large-scale and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid. In a statement on Monday night, he said that ongoing Israeli hostilities have inflicted indescribable suffering on Palestinians, and that civilians are living in harsh conditions that must end immediately.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for ensuring the large-scale and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid. In a statement on Monday night, Guterres said that ongoing Israeli hostilities have inflicted indescribable suffering on Palestinians in the Strip, stressing that civilians are living in unbearable harsh conditions and that their suffering must end immediately. He cited UN agency data to say that Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 74,000 people, including 20,000 children, and injuries to over 100,000, while nearly all of the Strip's 2.1 million residents have been displaced and large parts of it have been destroyed. Guterres noted that the ceasefire that began in October 2025 helped alleviate some of the suffering, but has so far not provided security, adequate humanitarian aid, or a reliable path to recovery and peace.