UN chief says Palestinians, Israelis cannot afford to watch two-state solution vanishing

CAIRO – 17 May 2025: UN Secretary General António Guterres called for the world to uphold the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as he addressed the 34th Arab League summit held in Baghdad on Saturday.

“Only a two-state solution can deliver sustainable peace,” Guterres said.

“The world, the region – and, most of all, the people of Palestine and Israel – cannot afford to watch the two-State solution disappear before our eyes,” he said.

“Let’s be clear,” he said. “Annexation is illegal.  Settlements are illegal.”

Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

Guterres called for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza amid escalating Israeli attacks.

“We need a permanent ceasefire, now. The unconditional release of all hostages, now. And the free flow of humanitarian aid ending the blockade, now,” the UN chief said.

I'm alarmed by reported plans by Israel to expand ground operations in Gaza.

I emphasize the @UN will not participate in any operation that doesn't adhere to international law & humanitarian principles - humanity, impartiality, independence & neutrality.

I reiterate my appeal…

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 17, 2025

He expressed concerns over Israeli plans to expand ground operations in Gaza, stressing that the UN “will not participate in any so-called aid operation that does not adhere to international law and the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”

His remarks on aid comes while a newly-formed US-backed aid organization has unveiled plans to start operation in Gaza by the end of May.

Senior UN officials have expressed objection to collaborate with the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) due to concerns that it may not adhere to the principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said, on Saturday that even if Israel succeeds in normalizing relations with all Arab states, a lasting, just, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East will remain unattainable without the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with… pic.twitter.com/NLtlxtbRfe

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) May 17, 2025

The Arab leaders met in the Iraqi capital to discuss growing tensions across the region, including the Gaza war, the unwavering Israeli violence in the West Bank besides the crises in Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, and Libya.

Their meeting comes while Israel has intensified attacks on Gaza, killing more than 250 people over the past two days despite recent negotiations in Doha to secure a ceasefire.

The Israeli army announced a new operation that aims to seize “strategic areas” of the enclave and free the captives held by Hamas.

Israeli reports said the operation includes previously announced plans to take control of the enclave, displace civilians to the south of the strip and prevent Hamas from benefiting from the humanitarian aid supplies.

Tel Aviv has blocked aid bound for Gaza since 2 March as it claimed that assistance falls into the hands of Hamas, leaving the entire population facing the risk of famine, according to UN estimates.

The war in Gaza has killed over 53,000 people, predominantly women and children, according to local health authorities.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attended the summit, where he called for global pressure on Israel to “halt the massacre in Gaza.”

Sanchez unveiled plans by Madrid to introduce a UN resolution requesting a ruling by the International Court of Justice on humanitarian aid access to Gaza amid Israeli blockage.

Intensifying pressure on Israel, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Saturday called for Israel to stop its deadly military strikes in Gaza.

“We no longer want to see the Palestinian people suffer,” Tajani said, according to his spokesman.

“Let's come to a ceasefire, let's free the hostages, but let's leave people who are victims of Hamas alone.”