Gaza - New York: Europe and the Arabs
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that he will attend the extraordinary summit of the League of Arab States to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza next Tuesday. He stressed the rejection of all forms of ethnic cleansing and the need for Gaza to remain an integral part of the Palestinian state, and the importance of addressing Israel's legitimate security concerns. According to the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning, Saturday
In statements to reporters yesterday, Guterres added that since the horrific terrorist attacks launched by Hamas in Israel on October 7, hostilities have taken place, followed by unprecedented levels of death and destruction in Gaza.
The UN Secretary-General stated that he will set three main priorities, the first of which is the need to continue the ceasefire agreement and release the hostages.
“The parties must spare no effort to avoid the collapse of this agreement. I urge them to fully uphold and implement their commitments. All hostages must be released immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner. The parties must ensure the humane treatment of all those held under their authority,” he said.

Keeping the humanitarian lifeline open
Humanitarian assistance must continue to be provided, protected, funded and flow unhindered to reach those most in need, Guterres said, adding that “every moment the ceasefire holds means more people are reached and more lives are saved.”
He noted that since the ceasefire, humanitarian workers have been able to scale up and expand operations in Gaza, including to areas that were inaccessible during the fighting, providing food to almost all of Gaza’s population, delivering shelter, clothing and other essential items to tens of thousands of displaced people, and doubling the amount of clean water available to people in Gaza.
“Our message is clear,” Guterres said. “If we have the right conditions and access, we can do much more. The ceasefire must hold. We must keep the humanitarian lifeline open.”
He stressed the need to preserve the unique role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), noting that he would appeal again for urgent and full support for UNRWA’s work.

A clear political framework
The second priority that the Secretary-General will address at the extraordinary Arab summit is that “ending the immediate crisis is only the first step.” Guterres said that there must be a clear political framework that lays the foundations for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability, and that this framework must be based on clear principles.
He added that this means “preventing any form of ethnic cleansing. This means that there should be no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza.”
This framework also means addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, he said, “and Gaza remains an integral part of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian State, without any territorial diminution or forcible transfer of its population.”
He stressed that Gaza and the occupied West Bank – including East Jerusalem – must be treated as one entity, politically, economically and administratively.
The Secretary-General called for “an urgent de-escalation of the alarming situation in the West Bank,” where homes and civilian infrastructure are being destroyed, civilians are being killed, communities are being displaced and prevented from returning, and access to health care is being denied.
He also stressed that unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop, adding, “I call for an end to attacks on civilians and their property.”
Concrete Steps
The third priority that the Secretary-General spoke about is that “we must take concrete steps now towards achieving the two-State solution.” He stressed that the Palestinian people must enjoy the right to govern themselves, chart their own future, and live in their own land in freedom and security.
He stressed that the only path to lasting peace is for two States – Israel and Palestine – to live side by side in peace and security, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

The UN Secretary-General said that the Palestinians deserve lasting stability and a just and principled peace, and the people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security.

He added: “At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region already on the brink of collapse. We need sustainable reconstruction and a unified, clear and principled political solution. This is what I will call for in Cairo next Tuesday.”