UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General António Guterres today warned of the danger of the war spilling over into Gaza.
War and misery in Gaza are fueling unrest far beyond, Guterres said at a high-level Security Council open debate on the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue.
“We are seeing dangerous developments across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where tensions are extremely high and the number of casualties has increased dramatically,” he said.
Dozens of Palestinians are arrested every day. Since October 7, more than 6,000 Palestinians have been arrested. Many were later released. Another major problem is settler violence. The demolition and confiscation of Palestinian homes and other buildings was still underway, he said.
The Palestinian economy is in crisis. Israel is withholding a significant portion of Palestinian tax revenue, almost all Palestinian workers have been banned from entering Israel since October 7, and strict movement and access restrictions across the West Bank are contributing to a rapid increase in unemployment and poverty, he added.
The risk of a broader regional escalation is now becoming a reality, warned Guterres.
Daily gunfire across the Israel-Lebanon border, including attacks on civilian areas, have killed six Israelis and 25 Lebanese civilians and forced tens of thousands of people in both countries to flee their homes, he said. “The risk of misjudgment is dangerously high. I call on all parties to avoid aggressive rhetoric and immediately stop activities that could further inflame tensions.”
The situation in the Red Sea is also deeply worrying, said the UN chief.
Houthi attacks affect global trade. This was followed by US and British airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, he said. “De-escalation is essential and all attacks on commercial and commercial vessels in the Red Sea must cease immediately.”
In addition, attacks on international coalition forces' facilities in Iraq and Syria occur almost daily. In response, the United States has launched airstrikes against individuals and groups suspected of being responsible for these actions. And in Syria, airstrikes that Iran and Syria attribute to Israel targeted Hamas and Iranian IRGC officials, he said. “I call on all parties to step back and consider the terrible human cost of regional conflict.”
Beyond the need for immediate de-escalation, every situation requires the implementation of a clear political roadmap that contributes to long-term stability, he said.
In Syria, it is a UN-sponsored political solution under Security Council Resolution 2254 that meets the needs of all Syrians. On the border between Israel and Lebanon, Security Council Resolution 1701 must be fully implemented. And in Yemen, the establishment of a UN roadmap is necessary to implement the commitments made by the parties and prepare for an inclusive Yemeni political process under the auspices of the UN, Guterres said. End