UN chief demands immediate ceasefire and warns that taking Gaza City will bring more death and destruction.
UN Secretary-General speaks of “dangerous escalation” and reinforces appeal for a truce to halt the devastation and save civilians in Gaza.
247 - UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a “permanent ceasefire, now” and warned that Israel’s plan to “take control of Gaza City” represents a “dangerous escalation” with the risk of deepening “catastrophic consequences” for millions of Palestinians. “We need a permanent ceasefire, now,” said Guterres, who also reiterated his calls for the immediate release of prisoners of war and full access to humanitarian aid for the population of Gaza.
The offensive on Gaza City and the mass evacuation orders are part of a military escalation that has provoked a strong international reaction. The UN chief's assessment aligns with reports from agencies and official bulletins that describe the capture of Gaza as a step that threatens to put even more lives in danger.
Guterres stressed that the operation to capture Gaza City will inevitably produce "heavy civilian casualties and destruction," reinforcing the urgent need for a ceasefire and the flow of aid. The warning came as Israel moves troops and increases calls for reservists for the ground offensive.
