United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued an urgent plea for peace on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza while condemning Israel's approval of over 3,400 new housing units in the occupied West Bank.
Ceasefire Appeal Amid Escalation
Speaking at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Guterres warned that Israel's planned operation in Gaza City would bring "inevitable death and destruction." His statement came hours after Israeli authorities announced initial steps to assume control of the strategic urban center.
Settlement Expansion Draws Condemnation
The UN chief's spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, revealed Guterres' strong opposition to Israel's Wednesday approval of 3,753 settlement units in the E1 area near Maale Adumim. UN officials emphasized these developments violate international law and "pose an existential threat" to the two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territories.
Analysts note the E1 project could physically separate northern and southern West Bank regions while isolating East Jerusalem from Palestinian-administered areas. The move has reignited debates about territorial contiguity ahead of potential peace negotiations.
