UN chief calls for Gaza ceasefire ahead of Oct 7 anniversary

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza prior to the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel. Guterres emphasized the necessity of a permanent cease-fire for the provision of extensive humanitarian aid and adherence to international law, urging a political route towards enduring peace throughout the entire region.

This anniversary should not only signify another year of mourning but also a renewed commitment to constructing a different future for Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security, fulfilling their rights, dignity, and aspirations.

Guterres acknowledged the Israeli casualties in the statement, describing the Hamas attack as "abhorrent" for having claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and the hostage-taking of 251 others. He also highlighted the massive loss of life, displacement, and destruction faced by Palestinians in Gaza, refraining from providing a specific death toll. Their suffering likewise demands an end now, Guterres stated.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has endured for years, has resulted in over 74,200 deaths, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry under Hamas' authority, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN. Guterres noted that a brief cease-fire introduced by US President Donald Trump in October 2025 offered some respite, but it has yet to yield security, sufficient humanitarian assistance, or a credible pathway to recovery and peace.

Israel, which still maintains control over most of Gaza, will not withdraw its soldiers until Hamas verifies its disarmament. Hamas, on the other hand, has advocated for gradual disarmament rather than an immediate and unilateral surrender of its arsenal.

Since the 2023 attacks, Israel has engaged in military operations across various fronts, including invading southern Lebanon to confront Hezbollah, a movement supported by Tehran, and launching an attack against Iran in late February in conjunction with the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel and Hamas will soon commence the second phase of the Gaza cease-fire.