HAMILTON, Canada 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday criticized Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip for more than two months.

Speaking at the Security Council's open debate on Palestine, Guterres said he was "alarmed" by statements from Israeli officials suggesting humanitarian aid could be leveraged as a military tactic.

"Aid is non-negotiable," he said, adding that "Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them."

Guterres said the situation remains dire, with "no end in sight to the killing and misery."

He added that the collapse of a ceasefire agreement on March 18 ended hopes for the release of hostages and the delivery of lifesaving aid.

Turning to the broader conflict, Guterres warned that the prospect of a two-state solution is "at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance" and a political commitment to the long-standing goal is "farther than it has ever been."

"The world cannot afford to watch the two-state solution disappear," he said, as he urged global leaders to act decisively.

"Political leaders face clear choices; the choice to be silent, the choice to acquiesce, or the choice to act," said Guterres.

He warned that the region is undergoing "fundamental shifts, marked by violence and volatility but also opportunity and potential," and emphasized that people across the Middle East "demand and deserve a better future, not endless conflict and suffering."

"We must collectively work to ensure that this turbulent and transitional period meets those aspirations -- and delivers justice, dignity, rights, security and lasting peace," he said.

It starts with recognizing "that the region is at a hinge-point in history," he said, and peace hinges on "a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states."

He underscored that Gaza "must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state" and condemned efforts at demographic or territorial changes.

Guterres voiced concern about Israeli operations in the occupied West Bank, "including East Jerusalem," because they are "dramatically altering demographic and geographic realities."

"Palestinians are being contained and coerced," he said, as he described growing displacement and settler violence "at alarmingly high levels in a climate of impunity."

He added that "almost 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza" since the ceasefire collapse, including "women, children, journalists, and humanitarians."

"The entry of assistance must be restored immediately -- the safety of UN personnel and humanitarian partners must be guaranteed," said Guterres, reiterating that UN agencies must be allowed to operate independently and "there must be no hindrance in humanitarian aid – including through the vital work of UNRWA."

He renewed his call for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" and a permanent ceasefire.

"The trampling of international law must end," he said, urging member states to "use their leverage to ensure that international law is respected and impunity does not prevail."

"This is not a time for ritualistically expressing support, ticking a box, and moving on," Guterres added

“We are past the stage of ticking boxes – the clock is ticking," he said, calling on member states to "take irreversible action."

"At this hinge point of history for the people of the Middle East – and on this issue on which so much hinges – leaders must stand and deliver," he said.