Gaza ceasefire: UN Chief calls for ‘real reconciliation’ addressing root causes of conflict

In a statement, he urged both parties and international community to make serious efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

“I stress that Israeli and Palestinian leaders have a responsibility beyond the restoration of calm to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict,” the UN Secretary General said adding,

“Gaza is an integral part of the future Palestinian state and no effort should be spared to bring about real national reconciliation that ends the division.”

António Guterres on Thursday, while addressing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, had demanded an immediate cease-fire between Palestine and Israel.

Showing his concern about the war-ravaged Gaza, the UN representative had commented that the real price of the conflict is being paid by the kids who were killed in the atrocities.

“The Israel-Palestine dispute cannot be neglected; the parties should not target the masses”, the Secretary-General added.

Demanding a ceasefire on both sides, António Guterres maintained that the ongoing tension between Israel-Palestine must be stopped.

Meanwhile, Palestinians celebrated as a ceasefire came into force between Hamas and Israel to halt 11 days of fighting.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the security cabinet had “unanimously accepted the recommendations to accept an Egyptian initiative for an unconditional ceasefire.”

Hamas also confirmed the ceasefire in a statement, saying it the deal will come into force at 2:00am on Friday (23:00 GMT on Thursday).

Following the announcement, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets to celebrate the ceasefire, raising flags and flashing V signs for victory. Words of praise to Allah were also broadcasted from loudspeakers of different mosques.

The latest escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas claimed lives of at least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children.