NEW YORK: UNchief Anotonio Guterres appealed on Friday for an immediate halt to fighting between Gaza and Israel.
Secretary-General Guterres warnedthat the ongoing conflict could “unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism,”not just in the Occupied Palestinian Territoriesand Israel but also elsewhere in the Middle East region.
A UNspokesman added thatGuterres urgedthe parties to allow mediation efforts to intensify and end the fighting more quickly.
Stephane Dujarric saidthe UNwas“actively involved” in those mediation efforts.
Guterres, who saidonly a sustainable political solution wouldlead to lasting peace, also reiterated his commitment to support Palestinians and Israelis in resolving the conflict, through the Quartet of Middle East mediators — the UN, US, EUand Russia— on the basis of relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
