Guterres warns of possibility of 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that the violence and settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank could lead to ethnic cleansing, threatening the prospects for a two-state solution. Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Guterres emphasized that the conflict is "bulldozing the path to peace" and urged world leaders to prevent this from happening.

He called for de-escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, stressing that ceasefires have been insufficient and that fighting has spread across the region. Guterres further condemned Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the 2023 attacks by the Hamas-led militant group, describing it as an "onslaught on Palestinians" with unprecedented levels of killing and destruction.

He urged all parties to comply with international law, particularly the International Court of Justice's orders, which require Israel to prevent acts that could be considered genocide. The UN chief emphasized the need for continued support for the UN's work in Gaza and protection for its staff and humanitarian workers. In his final address as UN Secretary-General, Guterres called for a world built on interdependence and urged leaders to maintain cooperation and shared decision-making in the face of global challenges and rising competition among powerful nations.

He also criticized major oil companies for treating the atmosphere as an "open sewer," highlighting the vast profits they have made compared to the $34 billion mobilized for developing countries to adapt to climate change.