United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning on Thursday, expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
He cautioned that the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Iran’s recent attack on Israel could potentially ignite a full-blown regional war.
During a high-level Security Council meeting attended by several foreign ministers, including those from Jordan and Iran, Guterres highlighted the precarious situation in the region.
He described the Israeli military’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza as creating a “humanitarian hellscape” for the civilian population trapped in the besieged territory.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need for all parties to exercise maximum restraint, emphasizing the severe consequences that a single misstep or misunderstanding could have on the region. He condemned the recent attacks, including Iran’s missile strikes on Israel and the subsequent drone assaults.
The UN Secretary-General called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and urged the release of all hostages held in the region. He emphasized the critical need for increased aid and humanitarian access in Gaza to address the dire situation on the ground.
As the Security Council prepared to vote on a Palestinian resolution later in the day, Guterres’s impassioned plea underscored the pressing need for de-escalation and concerted international efforts to prevent further violence and suffering in the Middle East.
