The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has responded to the recent attacks by Iran on Israel.
Guterres released a statement and a video on the UN X account, calling for restraint from all parties involved and warning against the consequences of another war.
He emphasized the damage that has already been done to civilians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, urging those involved to avoid escalating tensions further.
We have a shared responsibility to work for peace.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 14, 2024
Regional – and indeed global – peace and security are being undermined by the hour.
The world cannot afford more war.
My remarks to Sunday's emergency Security Council session: https://t.co/I3ry6m7YuU pic.twitter.com/sQeH5fi0ku
Guterres stated the importance of preventing major military confrontations across the Middle East and highlighted the need to engage all concerned parties in order to prevent further escalations. He referred to the Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970, which prohibits acts of reprisal involving the use of force under international law.
Guterres stressed the shared responsibility to secure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages, as well as ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
He also called for an end to violence in the occupied West Bank, de-escalation along the Blue Line, and the restoration of safe navigation in the Red Sea.
Guterres concluded by emphasizing the need to work towards peace, as the current situation continues to undermine regional and global peace and security.
