UN Chief Urges Permanent Gaza Ceasefire as October 7 Anniversary Nears
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed his call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, three years after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war. In a statement on Monday, October 5, 2026, Mr. Guterres said the time had come for the cessation of hostilities to become lasting, for humanitarian aid to enter at scale, and for international law to be respected.
“It is time for the ceasefire to become permanent. It is time to allow humanitarian assistance at scale. And it is time to respect international law,” he said, adding that there must be a “political path to lasting peace across the whole region.”
His appeal came ahead of the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. In his statement, the UN chief described the assault as “abhorrent,” noting that it killed more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals and saw 251 people taken hostage. He also said Palestinians in Gaza had endured a “massive loss of life, displacement and destruction.”
“Their suffering, too, demands an end, now,” Mr. Guterres said.
The Secretary-General said the anniversary should mark “not only another year of mourning, but also a renewed determination to build a different future: one in which Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security, with their rights, dignity, and aspirations fulfilled.”
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which is under Hamas’ authority and whose figures the UN deems reliable, more than 74,200 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began. The ministry’s overall toll does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, and Israel has disputed the accuracy of such figures.
The Secretary-General acknowledged that a brief ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump in October 2025 “brought some relief. But it has yet to deliver security, adequate humanitarian assistance or a credible path to recovery and peace.”
The October 7 attack and the ensuing war have reshaped regional security. Israel, which still controls most of Gaza, has said it will not withdraw its soldiers until Hamas’ disarmament has been verified. Hamas has advocated for gradual disarmament rather than an immediate and unilateral surrender of its arsenal. The two positions remain a central obstacle to a durable truce.
Since the 2023 attacks, Israel has waged military operations on several fronts. It invaded southern Lebanon to confront Hezbollah, the Islamist movement backed by Tehran, and launched a war against Iran in late February alongside the United States. Those conflicts have added to fears of a wider regional escalation and complicated efforts to end the Gaza war.
International mediators, including the United States, Qatar and Egypt, have repeatedly sought to broker a lasting ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages. So far, those efforts have not produced a permanent agreement.
Mr. Guterres’ statement did not propose a new mechanism for negotiations. Instead, he framed the anniversary as a moment for reflection and renewed political will. “Let this anniversary mark not only another year of mourning, but also a renewed determination to build a different future,” he said.
For Gazans, the humanitarian situation remains dire. UN agencies have warned that aid deliveries are far below what is needed, with restrictions, insecurity and damaged infrastructure hampering relief. For Israelis, the fate of the hostages seized on October 7 remains a painful and pressing issue. Families of those still held have demanded their return, while the government has insisted that military pressure is necessary to secure their release.
As the third anniversary approaches, Mr. Guterres’ call reflects the UN’s long-standing position that a two-state solution is the only viable path to lasting peace. Whether his appeal changes the calculations of the parties involved remains uncertain.
