UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Uganda, emphasized that “everyone must recognize the Palestinian people’s right to establish their state.”
He stated that denying this right is unacceptable. His remarks come at a critical juncture in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Guterres pointed out that rejecting the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians is intolerable.
He noted that denying Palestinians their right to statehood would indefinitely prolong a conflict posing a significant threat to global peace and security.
This scenario, he warned, could exacerbate polarization and fuel extremists worldwide.
The Secretary-General stressed the necessity for all to acknowledge the Palestinians’ right to their own state.
His comments align with repeated calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza since October 7 has resulted in over 25,000 deaths, predominantly women and children, and injured more than 62,000 others.
Since October 7, the Israeli military has conducted air and ground strikes in the Gaza Strip, with devastating effects on civilians and infrastructure.
Israeli strikes have targeted various civilian facilities, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship, leading to the collapse of the healthcare system and making life unsustainable in the sector, home to over 2 million people.
The World Health Organization previously condemned the “inhumane living conditions” in Gaza.