UN Leader Appeals for Lasting Peace in Gaza as War Enters Third Year

United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres made a public call on October 6 for a lasting peace arrangement in Gaza, emphasizing that the conflict must not continue for another year. He described the brutal attacks of October 7 as a tragedy that must never be repeated and insisted that the subsequent fighting must be halted permanently.

The Oct 7 strike by Hamas resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and the abduction of 251 individuals, prompting Israel to conduct a sweeping military operation against Hamas targets within Gaza. The ensuing hostilities have, according to Gaza health authorities, caused over 74,000 Palestinian deaths.

Guterres pointed out that the war has inflicted severe hardship on Gazans, with countless families displaced, infrastructure destroyed and essential services crippled. While the cease‑fire implemented last year provided limited respite, the population still lacks full security, ample humanitarian assistance and a trustworthy pathway to a sustainable resolution. He appealed to all factions to honor their pledges, advance to the next stage of a permanent cease‑fire, enable expansive humanitarian aid and respect the norms of international law.