United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres renewed his call on Sunday for an "immediate ceasefire" between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, demanding the "unconditional release" of all hostages.
Guterres stated in a recorded speech broadcast during an international donor conference in Kuwait, "The war in Gaza is causing horrific humanitarian suffering - taking lives, displacing families, and leaving vast numbers of people homeless, suffering from hunger and trauma."
He added, "I reiterate my call - the call of the world - for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, the unconditional release of all hostages, and an immediate increase in humanitarian assistance."
He continued, "However, a ceasefire will only be the beginning. The road to recovery from the destruction and trauma caused by this war will be long. The people of Gaza will need stronger and deeper partnerships to receive humanitarian assistance and long-term development to stand on their feet again and rebuild their lives."
