DOHA: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday affirmed his unwavering commitment to appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as Israel continued relentless bombardments in the Palestinian territory.
The UN Chief reaffirmed this commitment during the Doha Forum conference on Sunday. Despite a recent setback where the United States vetoed a proposed UN Security Council resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Guterres emphasized the urgency of averting a humanitarian catastrophe.
Speaking at the conference, Guterres expressed his disappointment in the Security Council’s failure to declare a ceasefire but stressed the continued necessity for such action. “I will not give up,” he asserted, underscoring his determination to address the escalating crisis.
Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, pledged to continue pressuring both Israel and Hamas for a truce. Despite acknowledging the narrowing chances for success, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Qatar would continue its efforts to mediate negotiations between the conflicting parties.
UNRWA Chief Calls for Urgent Ceasefire in Gaza
Highlighting the dire situation in Gaza, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini underscored the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire. Lazzarini attributed the international community’s tolerance of Israel’s attacks on Gaza to the dehumanization of Palestinians.
The United States and Israel oppose an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Instead, Washington supports temporary pauses in fighting to protect civilians and facilitate the release of hostages.
In addition to the Gaza crisis, Guterres directed attention to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. He urged leaders to reach a consensus on significant emissions reductions to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. Despite previous pledges, Guterres noted that emissions are at a record high, emphasizing the role of fossil fuels in driving climate change.
