​​​​​​​BERLIN

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres again called for ‘an immediate cessation of hostilities’ in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

“I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, unimpeded humanitarian access, and an immediate cessation of hostilities allowing for an irreversible path towards a two-State solution,” Guterres said at a news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.

He is “very concerned” about the situation in Gaza, saying there can be no military solution to the war.

Merz also warned of a “dramatically escalating situation” in Gaza.

“We see the fate of the people there, the women, the elderly, the children, and we also call on the Israeli government to do everything possible to ensure that the humanitarian obligations to which Israel has also committed itself within the framework of the international political order are fulfilled,” he said.

The chancellor pointed out that he had "no plans" to visit Israel.

Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid since March 2, deepening an already humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Israel's severe restrictions on supplies have left more than 2 million Palestinians in desperate conditions, subjecting them to what international organizations describe as a deliberate act of collective punishment.

More than 52,900 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have been killed in Gaza during Israel's military offensive since October 2023.

The Israeli government cited an Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack as justification to launch its nearly 2-year military campaign. Numerous human rights organizations, however, have condemned the Israeli offensive, characterizing it as a systematic campaign aimed at ethnic cleansing.​​​​​​​

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.