In a stark address to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a grave warning: the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is “nearing the point of no return” as relentless fighting engulfs Gaza.
UN Security Council Convenes Over Gaza Conflict
The emergency session was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on April 29, following Israel’s intensified military campaign across the Gaza Strip. The escalation began after the March 18 ceasefire collapsed, unleashing renewed ground and air attacks aimed at dismantling Hamas’ control.
Since hostilities resumed, over 2,200 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,800 wounded, according to local health officials. The ongoing Israeli blockade has crippled Gaza’s already fragile humanitarian infrastructure, leaving 2.1 million residents without adequate access to food, fuel, or medicine.
Guterres Urges Immediate Global Action
Guterres emphasized the urgency of the moment, telling the Council that the dream of a peaceful, two-state solution is in peril. He implored member states to take decisive, irreversible steps toward its realization.
“The world must act now to prevent the death of the two-state solution. Extremists cannot be allowed to sabotage the last remaining hope for peace,” Guterres said.
ICJ Hearings and Gaza Blockade Concerns
The address came a day after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearings in The Hague on a UN request for an advisory opinion regarding Israel’s legal obligations to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Guterres highlighted the dire conditions in the enclave, warning that the humanitarian crisis is spiraling beyond comprehension.
“For nearly two months, essential supplies have been deliberately blocked. Over 2 million civilians are being denied food, fuel, and medicine as the world looks on,” he said.
He also condemned settler violence and territorial changes in the West Bank, reaffirming that Gaza must remain an essential part of any future Palestinian state.
UN Rejects Alterations to Gaza’s Borders
The UN leader firmly stated that any attempt to alter Gaza’s territorial or demographic structure would be a violation of international law.
“Gaza is not negotiable. It is a core part of the Palestinian homeland,” Guterres stressed.
Palestinian Envoy Slams Israeli PM’s Remarks
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his remarks against the two-state solution “delusional.” Netanyahu had recently claimed that recognizing a Palestinian state equates to Israel’s destruction.
“Is striving for a peaceful Palestinian state alongside Israel—based on the very UN resolutions that created Israel—a threat? That logic is baseless,” Mansour asserted.
He urged a renewed ceasefire and noted positive developments from the international community, highlighting U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari efforts to push for humanitarian aid access.
Latest Toll and Ongoing Violence in Gaza
In the last 24 hours alone, Israeli strikes have killed 51 Palestinians and injured 113 more, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Air and artillery strikes targeted regions from Jabaliya in the north to Khan Younis in the south.
The conflict, now in its 19th month, began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages. Currently, 59 hostages remain, with 24 believed to be alive.
Since then, Israeli operations have claimed the lives of over 52,365 Palestinians—mostly women and children—according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The UN reports that about 70% of verified deaths are civilians.