United Nations : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel after 11 days of conflagration in which 232 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed and said leaders of both the sides leaders a responsibility beyond the restoration of calm, to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce on Thursday, ending the 11 days of deadly hostilities.
“I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities,” Mr Guterres said, extending his deepest condolences to all the victims of the violence, and their loved ones.
According to latest news reports, at least 232 Palestinians, including more than 60 children have been killed since violence erupted.
“I commend Egypt and Qatar for the efforts carried out, in close coordination with the UN, to help restore calm to Gaza and Israel,” the UN official website quoted its chief as saying.
He called all sides to observe the ceasefire.
Mr Guterres said it was essential for the wider international community to work with the UN, to develop ‘an integrated, robust package of support for a swift, sustainable reconstruction and recovery, that supports the Palestinian people and strengthens their institutions’.
He stressed that leaders in Israel and Palestine had a responsibility ‘beyond the restoration of calm, to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict’.
He described Gaza as an ‘integral part of the future Palestinian State’, saying no effort should be spared to bring about ‘real national reconciliation that ends the division’.
Mr Guterres underscored the UN’s ‘deep commitment” to working with Israelis and Palestinians, and with all international and regional partners, including through the Middle East Quartet, “to return to the path of meaningful negotiations to end the occupation and allow for the realization of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 lines, UN resolutions, international law and mutual agreements.”
On being asked what he thought the next step should be, he said that stabilizing the ceasefire was the immediate priority.
More Stories
Low vision clinic inaugurated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar
Urban education programme comes in handy for Odisha’s tribal, dalit kids
Now country ‘aatank’ struggling for ‘aata’: PM