United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the “unconditional” release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This statement was made in a video message on Sunday, October 6th, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israeli territory, which triggered a full-scale war in Gaza.
Speaking in the video, Guterres emphasized the need for Hamas to release the hostages without any conditions and urged the group to allow the International Red Cross access to the captives. “Now is the time for the release of hostages, for the end of the conflict, and for putting an end to the misery that has engulfed the region,” said the Secretary-General.
He reflected on the attack that took place on October 7th last year, describing it as a deeply wounding incident. “The horrors of that day, where lives were lost and people were subjected to unspeakable violence, including sexual assaults, will never be forgotten,” Guterres remarked.
The Secretary-General also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has now spread to Lebanon, causing widespread destruction and deepening the humanitarian crisis in both regions. He stressed that it is time to restore peace, uphold international law, and seek justice for the affected populations.
Guterres concluded his statement by calling on all parties to end the conflict and take steps towards peace, as the region continues to face the devastating consequences of the ongoing violence.