Middle East conflict: Guterres reaffirms support for a two-state solution

Hibapress

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed Tuesday in New York his support for a two-state solution, “the only lasting path to peace and security” between Palestinians and Israelis.

“This is the moment to reaffirm our hope and our contribution to a two-state solution, the only lasting path to peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the region as a whole,” stressed the head of the UN at a press conference.

In this context, he indicated that the United Nations is “fully committed to supporting a path towards peace” with the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

The senior UN official reiterated his call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and a massive increase in humanitarian aid.

Last week, the United Nations launched an appeal for donations worth $1.2 billion to help two million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

These funds will enable the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and respond to needs in the West Bank, the UN press service said.

This emergency appeal covers UNRWA’s humanitarian response until the end of the current year, said the same source, noting that the aid aims to respond to the most urgent needs of 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza and more than 200,000 Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.