WASHINGTON, D.C. — AS the war between Israel and Hamas reaches its two-year mark, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed his call for an immediate end to the fighting.
The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has claimed more than 67,000 Palestinian lives and left over 1,000 people dead or injured in Israel.
End the suffering for all,” Guterres urged. “ This is a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defies comprehension. Put an end to the hostilities in Gaza, Israel and the region now. Stop making civilians pay with their lives and their futures. After two years of trauma, we must choose hope. Now.”
The war has deeply destabilized the Middle East and strained relations among Israel’s allies, as nations continue to push for a resolution.
The United States has advanced a new proposal that is currently under consideration by Hamas. During his address marking the second anniversary of the conflict, Guterres described the U.S. plan as “an opportunity that must be seized to bring this tragic conflict to an end.”
“A permanent ceasefire and a credible political process are essential to prevent further bloodshed and pave the way for peace," he added. "International law must be respected. The United Nations remains unwavering in its commitment to support peace.”
Momentum has been growing for a two-state solution, with several developed nations formally recognizing Palestine. Yet, as diplomatic discussions continue, shelling in Gaza persists, worsening what the UN describes as a “full-scale humanitarian crisis.”
During a press briefing on October 6, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said that Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated $9 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help maintain fuel supplies for life-saving services in Gaza.
Dujarric told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has observed a slight reduction in airstrikes in recent days, but shelling and gunfire have continued. On Sunday alone, 21 people were reportedly killed and 96 injured.
He added that in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, the World Food Programme (WFP) managed to deliver wheat flour to bakeries, helping families access bread amid shortages.
“Bakeries are currently working up to 22 hours a day, producing some 100,000 bundles of bread daily,” Dujarric said. He noted that on Saturday, humanitarian partners served 885,000 meals through 167 kitchens across Gaza, although only 12 kitchens remain operational in the north.
As the war enters its third year, many around the world are expressing hope that peace can be achieved before another grim anniversary passes.
