UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Israel and Hamas to “fully abide” by the ceasefire and hostage release deal, calling it a “desperately needed breakthrough” that must mark “the beginning of the end of this devastating war.”
Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, Mr. Guterres welcomed the agreement, based on a proposal by United States’ President Donald Trump, and said it must be “fully implemented.”
“We have all waited far too long for this moment. Now we must make it truly count,” he said. “All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be secured. The bloodshed must stop once and for all.”
According to media reports, the Israeli cabinet is due to endorse the internationally brokered agreement on Thursday. A ceasefire is expected to begin in Gaza within 24 hours of that endorsement. The deal also reportedly includes a 72-hour window during which Hamas must release the remaining hostages, alive and deceased.
“To turn this ceasefire into real progress, we need more than the silencing of the guns,” he added, stressing the need for “full, safe and sustained access for humanitarian workers” and sufficient funding for recovery efforts.
The UN chief urged all parties to seize the opportunity for a “credible political path forward” toward ending the occupation and achieving a two-State solution for Israel and Palestine.
