New York: The UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has appealed to all parties involved in the Gaza war to do everything possible to get a ceasefire deal done and prevent further deaths and destruction after seven months of war.
“I reiterate my call to both parties to show political courage and spare no effort to secure an agreement now to stop the bloodshed, to free the hostages and to help stabilize the region, which is still at risk of explosion,” Antonio Guterres said in a video address.
The UN chief spoke after Hamas said it had agreed to a truce proposal, but Israel said it did not and instead launched a ground incursion into eastern Rafah.
“This is a crucial opportunity that the region – and indeed the world – cannot miss,” Guterres said of the peace talks. “I’m disturbed and distressed by the renewed military activity in Rafah.”
