Guterres: Security Council two-State Solution ‘Near Point of No Return’

The Security Council met on Tuesday on the situation in the Middle East, where UN Chief António Guterres told ambassadors that irreversible action must be taken to finally put a two-State solution in place for Israel and Palestine. 

The discussions took place as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with reports from the UN Palestine refugee relief agency (UNRWA) that children are "going to bed starving" amid the two-month Israeli aid blockade and continuing bombardment. 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the two-State solution is “near a point of no return,” urging Member States to take irreversible steps to implement it.

He emphasised peace in the Middle East hinges on a future where Israel and Palestine living side by side, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

In the same vain, he described the depth of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “beyond imagination” with food, fuel and medicine blocked for nearly two full months. He reiterated that Israel must protect civilians and allow full humanitarian access, including for the outlawed Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA.

Addressing recent attacks on UN personnel, Guterres demanded accountability, stressing all parties must respect international humanitarian law and that UN premises, property and staff must be protected without exception.