UN chief calls for release of October 7 hostages and end to Gaza fighting

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed calls for the immediate release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks on Israel and urged an end to the fighting in Gaza, Israel, and the wider region. In a statement read by UN spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci in Geneva, Guterres described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defies comprehension.

He called on all parties to seize opportunities for peace and emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire and credible political process. The Secretary-General highlighted recent proposals by US President Donald Trump as a potential path to end the conflict. Guterres stressed that international law must be respected to prevent further bloodshed. The UN chief urged urgent action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians.