UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. secretary-general welcomed the announcement Wednesday of a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza that is to take effect on Sunday.
“I commend the mediators — Egypt, Qatar and the United States of America — for their dedicated efforts in brokering this deal,” Antonio Guterres told reporters. “Their unwavering commitment to finding a diplomatic solution has been critical in achieving this breakthrough. I call on all relevant parties to uphold their commitments and ensure that this deal is fully implemented.”
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who led the mediation with the United States and Egypt, told reporters in Doha that Phase 1 of the deal will last for 42 days. During that time, Hamas will release 33 hostages who have been held captive since the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack inside Israel. In exchange, Israel will release several Palestinian prisoners.
Al Thani said the details of the second and third phases would be agreed to as the first phase is implemented.
The U.N. chief has called for a ceasefire and hostage release since the start of the conflict 15 months ago, following Hamas’ deadly attack that triggered the war. The conflict has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis for Gaza’s more than 2 million residents. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and tens of thousands wounded.
“Our priority must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict,” Guterres said. “The United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer.”
Humanitarian aid
Phase 1 of the deal is reported to also include a provision for 600 humanitarian truckloads of aid daily into Gaza. Lawlessness and the sheer desperation of Palestinians have frequently resulted in aid convoys being looted. Guterres said it is urgent that “significant security and political obstacles” to delivering aid across Gaza be removed so that it can be substantially increased.
“From our side, we will do whatever is humanly possible, aware of the serious challenges and constraints that we will be facing,” the secretary-general said. “We expect our efforts to be matched by other humanitarian actors, the private sector and bilateral initiatives.”
Guterres said the international community must not lose sight of the broader goal — a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
“I urge the parties and all relevant partners to seize this opportunity to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region,” he said. “Ending the occupation and achieving a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, in line with international law, relevant U.N. resolutions and previous agreements, remain an urgent priority.”
Wider region
In a speech earlier Wednesday to the U.N. General Assembly on his 2025 agenda, Guterres said the Middle East is being reshaped with uncertain outcomes, pointing to the future of Israel and the Palestinians but also a post-Bashar al-Assad Syria and a changed Iran.
“Throughout the region, we must deny extremists a veto over a peaceful future,” Guterres said of actors across the region.
The secretary-general departs Wednesday night for what he is calling a solidarity visit to Lebanon. The country, recovering from a destructive war between Hezbollah and Israel, just filled a lengthy political vacuum, electing a president who appointed a new prime minister.
“A window has opened for a new era of institutional stability, with a state fully able to protect its citizens, and a system that would allow the tremendous potential of the Lebanese people to flourish,” he said. “We will do everything to help keep that window open wide — a window that will allow both Lebanese and Israelis to live in security.”
Period of ‘turmoil, uncertainty’
In a wide-ranging speech, Guterres warned that the world is in a period of “turmoil and grave uncertainty.” He urged the international community to rein in major challenges that threaten to disrupt progress and even “our very existence.”
“Runaway conflicts. Rampant inequalities. The raging climate crisis and out-of-control technology” are the main dangers to humanity, he said.
“The good news is that we have the plans to tackle these challenges,” he said. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel — we need to get the wheel moving.”
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