UN Chief Demands Lasting Gaza Ceasefire as Oct. 7 Anniversary Nears

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United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza ahead of the third anniversary of Hamas' onslaught on Israel on October 7, 2023, requesting an end to hostilities, increased humanitarian assistance, and respect for international law. 

In a statement issued on Monday, Guterres stated that the current ceasefire must be made permanent and that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza at scale. He also asked the international community to work toward a political process that might bring about long-term peace in the region.

Guterres called the October 7 incident ‘abhorrent,’ stressing that over 1,200 Israelis and international nationals were killed and 251 people were held hostage. At the same time, he emphasized Palestinians' immense suffering in Gaza, including massive loss of life, displacement, and damage, adding ‘it demands an end, now.’

According to Gaza's Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry, Israel's military war has killed around 74,200 Palestinians. The United Nations has historically assessed the ministry's casualty estimates as broadly accurate, noting that the source is controlled by Hamas.

The UN secretary-general stated that while a ceasefire established in October 2025 provided some respite, it had failed to provide significant humanitarian assistance, security, or a realistic path to reconstruction and peace. The situation is still exacerbated by debates about Gaza's future and Hamas' armaments.

Israel announced that it will not withdraw its soldiers from Gaza until Hamas' disarmament is verified, whilst Hamas has urged for a gradual disarmament process rather than a complete surrender of its weapons. 

Guterres urged the October 7 anniversary to be more than just another day of sadness, saying it should restart efforts toward a future in which Israelis and Palestinians may coexist in peace and security, with their rights and dignity preserved.

The UN appeal comes as the area marks the third anniversary of the October 7 attack, with the humanitarian and political implications of the conflict still shaping the Middle East.