Source: United Nations (video statements)
The latest IPC report shows famine has been pushed back in Gaza. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned the gains are “fragile,” and urged full implementation of the ceasefire and a clear path toward a two-state solution.
Guterres spoke to reporters in New York on the situation in Gaza. He said that far more people are able to access the food they need to survive, adding that the UN is preparing more than 1.5 million hot meals every day and delivering general food assistance packages across Gaza.
The UN chief said, “Clean water is reaching more communities. Some health facilities have reopened. And in the wake of the brutal winter storms, we acted immediately to provide tents, blankets, clothing and other support.”
“This is a testament to the hard work of humanitarians and Member States, along with growing cooperation with the Civil-Military Coordination Center,” Guterres highlighted.
The Secretary-General also cautioned that gains are fragile, stating that 1.6 million people in Gaza — more than 75 percent of the population — are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.
Guterres pointed out that the needs are growing faster than aid can get in, stressing “We need a truly durable ceasefire. We need more crossings, the lifting of restrictions on critical items, the removal of red tape, safe routes inside Gaza, sustained funding, and unimpeded access – including for NGOs.”
The UN chief also warned not to lose sight of the rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank.
He said, “Palestinians there face escalating Israeli settler violence, land seizures, demolitions and intensified movement restrictions. Tens of thousands have been displaced following operations by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank.”
Guterres reiterated, “International law – including international humanitarian law and international human rights law — must be upheld across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”
“The International Court of Justice indicated provisional measures. These are binding and must be implemented,” he added.
The Court’s Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 was clear, the UN chief said, explaining “Israel is under the obligation to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid, to cooperate with the United Nations in carrying out our mandates, and to respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel, including in times of armed conflict."
The Secretary-General reiterated his support for UNRWA, “which plays an indispensable role in serving the Palestinian people — in Gaza and elsewhere in the region.”
“This is a crisis born of human decisions. It can be resolved through human choices – if there is the political will to act,” Guterres said.
He concluded, “The perverse and prolonged suffering must end. Palestinians need a horizon of hope. The ceasefire must be implemented in full. The endless cycle of violence must be broken. And the way must be cleared to an irreversible path to a two-state solution.”
Asked about reports of Israel’s decision to delay implementing phase two of the agreement, Guterres said, “I think that it is essential to move to phase two, and I don’t think that we should have any pretext to avoid it.”
He continued, “I believe, obviously, that it is very important that the remnants that are still missing are found and given back to their families. But at the same time, I think it’s very important to move with the peace process as a whole.”
Asked about his phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this week, the Secretary-General said, “The situation is obviously very tense. That is why we have been consistently appealing for de-escalation, for dialog and for international law to be fully respected.”