Neither the Israeli government nor Hamas truly wants a ceasefire: Antonio Guterres

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, stated in an interview with CNN that neither the Israeli government nor the Hamas movement is interested in establishing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

“It is clear to me that both sides are not interested in a ceasefire, and this is a tragedy because this is a war that needs to end,” said the UN Secretary-General.

“Neither the Israeli government nor Hamas truly wants a ceasefire,” he added.

It is recalled that on October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from Gaza. Following this, fighters from the Palestinian Hamas movement entered border areas, opened fire on soldiers and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to authorities, around 1,200 people have died.

The Israel Defense Forces initiated Operation “Iron Swords” in Gaza, which includes attacks on civilian structures. Israel announced a complete blockade of the enclave, halting the supply of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicine.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 41,000 people have died, and over 95,000 have been injured. The Gaza Strip is effectively divided into southern and northern parts, while Israel is conducting ground operations in Rafah, considered to be Hamas’s last stronghold.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the parties to cease military operations. Moscow's position is that a resolution is only possible based on a resolution approved by the UN Security Council that establishes a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem.