UN Chief commends mediation efforts made by Egypt, Qatar, US for securing Gaza ceasefire

CAIRO – 20 January 2025: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended mediation efforts exerted by Egypt, Qatar and the United States for securing a ceasefire deal in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In his remarks at the UN Security Council session on the Middle East on Monday, the UN Chief said: “I commend Egypt, Qatar, and the United States for their steadfast efforts to secure that deal.” He called for bearing the responsbility for making the Middle East nations get out of their “turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action.”

He added that over 630 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Sunday, the day 1 of the ceasefire, at least 300 of them to northern Gaza.

“While many challenges lie ahead, we should appreciate the long-overdue relief this moment provides for Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages reunited with their loved ones,” he said.

He called upon all parties to ensure that the ceaefire deal leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in the strip.

“United Nations entities – including the backbone of our humanitarian response, UNRWA – must be able to perform their functions without hindrance,” he said, adding that the UN would scale up the delivery of aid and essential services. The UN Chief continued that the Palestinians must be able to access life-saving aid.

The UN Secretary-General also called for protecting civilians and those seeking to return to their communities through safe passages.