Guterres calls for commitment to ceasefire in Gaza

International

28-02-2025, 20:40

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Follow-up - INA

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called on Friday evening for commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza after the end of the first phase of the agreement.

Guterres said in a statement: "The ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages must hold, as the coming days are crucial, and I urge all parties to spare no effort to avoid the collapse of the deal, and to fulfill and fully implement their obligations."

He added: "There should be no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza, and it must remain an integral part of an independent, democratic, and sovereign Palestinian state."

He continued: "Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, must be treated as a single entity governed by a Palestinian government, and unilateral measures in the West Bank, including the expansion of settlements and threats of annexation, must stop, and the Palestinian people must enjoy their right to govern themselves, chart their future, and live on their land freely and safely."