UN Secretary-General Expresses Regret Over Failure of Security Council on Gaza, Calls for Permanent Ceasefire
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep regret over the inability of the Security Council to reach a consensus on Gaza, describing the division among member states as paralyzing for the institution.
Speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar, Guterres reiterated his call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that the divergent opinions of Security Council member countries have crippled the organization. He condemned the strategic divisions leading to the failure of the Security Council to address the ‘Israel-Hamas conflict’ that erupted on October 7 in Gaza, causing severe damage to the institution’s credibility and authority.
Guterres acknowledged the disappointment in the Security Council’s inability to act decisively but pledged to persevere, stating that he will not give in to defeat. It is noteworthy that the emergency sessions of the United Nations Security Council on Gaza have yielded no tangible results, with member countries failing to issue a unanimous statement.
Since the onset of hostilities in Gaza on October 7, over 17,700 Palestinians have lost their lives, and more than 28,000 have been injured. Among the casualties, half are women and children, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable populations.