U.N. chief urges full ceasefire, unfettered aid and two-state horizon at Arab summit

United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres urged leaders at an Arab summit to secure a full ceasefire in Gaza, remove obstacles to humanitarian aid and adopt a political framework that leads to Palestinian statehood.

Guterres said the partial ceasefire and hostage releases achieved in the first phase have given civilians in Gaza "reprieve," but he warned the relief is fragile and cautioned against a resumption of hostilities. "Humanitarian aid is not negotiable. It must flow without impediment," Guterres said, calling on member states to use "all the leverage they have" to uphold commitments and increase funding as Ramadan begins.

Guterres told the summit that ending the immediate crisis is not enough and outlined principles for Gaza's recovery and reconstruction, saying they must respect international law and avoid a long‑term Israeli military presence. "Gaza must remain an integral part of an independent, democratic, and sovereign Palestinian state with no reduction in its territory or forced transfer of its population," he said.

He warned of a deteriorating situation in the West Bank, saying Israeli security operations have included airstrikes and the deployment of tanks "for the first time in over two decades," and that "over 40,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in the last months," the largest West Bank displacement in decades. Guterres said demolitions, evictions, settlement expansion and settler violence are weakening the Palestinian Authority and called for "urgent de‑escalation." He also urged that "the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Lebanon and Syria must be respected."

The secretary‑general praised the work of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and appealed for urgent and full financial support. He said the U.N., together with partners including the Egyptian Red Crescent, can coordinate effective aid deliveries when granted access.

On long‑term politics, Guterres reiterated the U.N. position that "there can be no recovery without an end to the occupation, no justice without accountability for violations of international law, and no sustainable reconstruction without a clear and principled political horizon." He called for "reversible steps now towards the realization of the two‑state solution" and for Jerusalem to be the capital of both states, in line with international law and "relevant U.N. resolutions." Guterres closed by saying "United Nations stands with you in this essential effort."

The remarks were delivered at an Arab summit convened by the host, President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi of Egypt, which then invited the president of the European Council to speak next.