Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, asserts that violence in Gaza erodes human decency. - Violence in Gaza threatens human decency, asserts UN Secretary General Guterres
## António Guterres and the UN Conference on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In July 2021, he will convene a high-level conference in New York City, organised by France and Saudi Arabia, to address the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. The conference, scheduled from the 28th to the 30th of July, aims to bring about a solution that will ensure both parties can exercise their rights [1][2][3].
The conference will take place at a ministerial level, suggesting the participation of top-tier officials from both countries. Guterres has emphasised that a solution can only be achieved if both Palestinians and Israelis have a state where they can exercise their rights. He has also described the number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza war as unprecedented in recent history [1][7].
The numbers provided come from the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza, considered credible by the United Nations. According to these figures, more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, including many civilians [6]. Guterres has repeatedly condemned the "horrific attacks" by Hamas from October 7 [5].
The UN has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the need to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law. Guterres has consistently emphasised the importance of respecting human dignity and protecting civilians in conflict situations. Given this context, it is likely that he will advocate for an end to violence and a focus on humanitarian aid and peace negotiations in Gaza [4].
However, it should be noted that the conference is not expected to result in a breakthrough given the current situation in the Middle East [8]. Nonetheless, Guterres' commitment to the two-state solution and his advocacy for peace and human rights offer hope for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Commission is also proposing to extend the deadline for the adoption of new rules to account for the ongoing political discourse and general news surrounding the UN Conference on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, where discussions about war-and-conflicts are not only relevant but crucial for finding a peaceful solution. The proposed extensions may provide policymakers with additional time to address the atrocities in war-and-conflicts zones, like the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and aim to avoid any further restrictions on the rights of Palestinians and Israelis.
