United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued an urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian crisis has reached “horrific proportions,” according to the UN’s official website. Speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 27, Guterres stressed that while recent international attention has shifted toward the Israel–Iran conflict, the worsening situation in Gaza remains dire and must not be ignored.

Guterres described the reality on the ground as catastrophic, noting that many families have been displaced multiple times and are now confined to less than one-fifth of Gaza’s territory—areas that themselves remain under constant threat from continued bombardment. He emphasized that the shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter are now the most severe since the beginning of the war. Palestinians in search of these basic necessities, he warned, face life-threatening risks.

The Secretary-General outlined three urgent priorities: an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unimpeded humanitarian access. “The trickle must become an ocean,” he said, calling for a dramatic scale-up in aid deliveries. He also reminded Israel, as the occupying power, of its legal responsibility under international law to facilitate humanitarian relief and urged all parties with influence to act.

While a small UN convoy carrying medical supplies recently gained access to Gaza, Guterres cautioned that humanitarian operations must prioritize civilian protection and avoid militarized areas. He concluded by calling for renewed diplomatic efforts toward a two-state solution, which he described as the only viable path to achieving lasting peace and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis.