United Nations leader restates commitment to a two-state resolution for the Palestinian predicament
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution to resolve the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict. In a recent statement, Guterres identified this solution, based on the pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem, as the only viable way forward.
Guterres's comments come amidst increasing concern over the dramatic obstacles faced in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The destruction of neighbourhoods in Gaza is massive, leading to a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. Civilian casualties in Gaza are at a scale not seen in any conflict since Guterres became Secretary-General.
The UN chief expressed deep concern over Israel's military operations in Gaza and the resulting large-scale civilian casualties and urban devastation. He stated that the systematic destruction of Gaza City is occurring, and the situation is leading to famine, lack of access to health support, continued displacement, and an imminent risk of loss of life.
Guterres's concerns regarding Israel's military operations in Gaza are morally, politically, and legally intolerable, according to him. He considers the situation in Gaza to be intolerable, with a one-state solution where the Palestinian people are deprived of basic rights and forcibly displaced being an unacceptable alternative.
In response to claims that recognising a Palestinian state would reward Hamas or undermine peace, Guterres pushed back, stating that he does not view recognising a Palestinian state as a gift to Hamas, but rather as a gift to the Palestinian people who have suffered due to Hamas.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Guterres did not provide specific details about his proposed alternatives to the current situation in Israel-Palestine. However, he did mention his willingness to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump at the UN next week to discuss potential solutions.
Guterres considers the two-state solution as the only realistic framework to end the crisis. He believes that it is the only way to ensure the Palestinian people can exercise their right to self-determination and live in peace and dignity. The UN Secretary-General has made it clear that the status quo is unsustainable and that action must be taken to bring about a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
