Guterres in Security Council Meeting: Humanitarian Reasons Require Continuation of Ceasefire in Gaza Strip

Bayan News – António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, says that despite hopes for the extension of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the residents of the Gaza Strip are experiencing a major humanitarian catastrophe and are demanding a genuine, humanitarian ceasefire.

Guterres made these remarks on Thursday, November 29th, during a United Nations Security Council meeting, stating that there is a need for the continuation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for humanitarian reasons.

He said, “Intensive negotiations are underway to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, and we strongly welcome these efforts, but we believe that there is a genuine need for a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons.”

The Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that international law obliges Hamas and other Palestinian groups to release all hostages.

On the other hand, a number of foreign ministers from around the world emphasized the importance of turning the temporary ceasefire in Gaza into a permanent cessation of hostilities during the Security Council meeting.

Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister of China, emphasized that this humanitarian pause in the Gaza conflict should be the starting point for negotiations on achieving a permanent ceasefire.

The Chinese Foreign Minister, who chaired the United Nations Security Council session, spoke about the Palestinian issue, saying, “Strict measures must be taken to protect civilians, and this is a red line.”

Wang Yi expressed his opposition to forced displacement of residents of the Gaza Strip, stating, “We strongly protest against collective punishment and targeting of Gaza residents, and we oppose their forced displacement from their homes.”