Staff Reporter

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued an urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning of a catastrophic escalation as Israeli forces began the initial stages of an operation to seize control of Gaza City.

Speaking in Japan at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Guterres stated that a ceasefire was vital to avoid the death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause.

The plea comes as Israel, which holds roughly 75% of the Gaza Strip, has called up tens of thousands of army reservists in preparation for the offensive.

According to the enclave’s health ministry, Israel’s military offensive, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 60,000 Palestinians. The conflict was triggered by an attack by gunmen led by Hamas on southern Israeli communities, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Guterres also called for the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and condemned Israel’s decision to expand illegal settlement construction in the West Bank.

The international community has repeatedly called for an end to the hostilities. The UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution in June demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the release of all hostages and the return of Palestinian prisoners.

The resolution also demanded that the occupying power immediately end its siege of the enclave, open all border crossings, and ensure aid reaches the Palestinian population.