UN Chief Says Gaza Ceasefire Fails to Deliver Lasting Security
In a statement marking three years since the conflict escalated, Guterres said the ceasefire had provided some respite but had not produced the conditions needed for sustained stability, humanitarian assistance or a credible recovery process.
“Last year’s ceasefire brought some relief. But it has yet to deliver security, adequate humanitarian assistance or a credible path to recovery and peace,” Guterres said in the statement.
The UN chief urged all sides to move forward with the next stages of the truce under the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, emphasizing that the existing ceasefire must lead to a permanent halt in fighting.
“It is time for the ceasefire to become permanent. It is time to allow humanitarian assistance at scale. And it is time to respect international law.”
Guterres also addressed the events that triggered the war, condemning the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. He said Palestinian armed groups killed more than 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages during the assault.
At the same time, the UN secretary-general highlighted the consequences of the military campaign that followed, saying Palestinians in Gaza had endured “untold suffering” as a result of extensive loss of life, mass displacement and widespread destruction.
He called for an immediate end to the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip and stressed the need for the international community to support a credible political process.
According to Guterres, such a process must provide a basis for Israelis and Palestinians to coexist with equal rights and dignity, while addressing the broader political issues underlying the conflict.
The humanitarian situation remains severe after years of fighting. Palestinian figures cited in the statement say that more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 175,000 injured in Gaza since October 2023.
Around 90% of the enclave’s infrastructure has also been destroyed, leaving extensive damage to residential areas, public facilities and essential services.
The Gaza Health Ministry said Israeli military operations have continued to cause casualties even after the ceasefire came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025. According to the ministry, 1,454 Palestinians have been killed and another 5,090 injured since the truce began.
Guterres’ appeal comes as international efforts remain focused on moving the ceasefire beyond its initial phase and toward a longer-term arrangement. He stressed that implementation of the commitments by all parties is essential to reducing civilian suffering and creating conditions for recovery.
The UN chief also linked the humanitarian response to respect for international law, calling for aid to reach civilians at the necessary scale while emphasizing that the ceasefire should ultimately develop into a permanent end to hostilities and a credible political process.
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