NEW YORK, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed that the Palestinian people possess the full right to dignity, justice, and self-determination, just like all other peoples of the world, stressing that the establishment of a Palestinian state is a right that cannot be waived.
His remarks came in a message delivered at the special meeting marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, read by his Chief of Staff, Courtenay Rattray. In the message, he called for an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, noting that Gaza has suffered over the past two years from Israeli aggression that resulted in the killing of more than 70,000 people and the injury of hundreds of thousands, alongside near-total destruction of infrastructure, widespread hunger, disease, and psychological trauma.
He added that residents of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have faced harsh conditions due to Israeli military operations, settler violence, settlement expansion, and forced evictions and demolitions.
Guterres considered the ceasefire agreement reached in October a glimmer of hope, pointing out that the Security Council’s adoption of a resolution on Gaza was an important step to reinforce this path. He praised the efforts of mediators, particularly Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States, and urged all parties to fully adhere to the agreement and turn diplomatic momentum into tangible and swift progress on the ground.
He stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza without obstacles and on a wide scale, affirming that Israel’s obligations are clear according to the International Court of Justice. He called on member states to support the urgent appeal to raise $4 billion for the occupied Palestinian territory.
Guterres highlighted that UNRWA remains a lifeline for millions of Palestinians, urging the international community to support its work in the West Bank, Gaza, and all areas hosting Palestinian refugees.
He noted that the number of journalists killed in the past two years is higher than in any conflict since World War II, the vast majority of them Palestinians, in addition to an unprecedented number of humanitarian workers killed, most of them UN and UNRWA staff.
He concluded by saying that achieving justice for Palestine is a defense of rights and laws everywhere, stressing that the United Nations will not retreat from its commitment to the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, and calling for international solidarity to be translated into concrete action that revives the olive tree and strengthens hope for the future.
