UN chief: No foreign force in Gaza without official Security Council mandate
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres affirmed on Tuesday that any international force deployed in Gaza after the war must have an official mandate from the UN Security Council, stressing that respect for international legitimacy is essential for any future arrangements in the territory.
Speaking from UN headquarters in New York, Guterres revealed that the Security Council is currently discussing “a draft resolution submitted by the United States” regarding a proposed international force to manage the security and humanitarian situation in Gaza.
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“Any force deployed in Gaza must have a UN mandate,” Guterres said clearly, warning that any action outside this framework “would undermine international law and open the door to dangerous political and security chaos.”
He reaffirmed the UN’s support for maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians facing an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.”
Praise for Qatar’s mediation efforts
Guterres also praised Qatar’s diplomatic and humanitarian role in the region, describing Doha as a “peacemaker in the Middle East and the world.”
He noted that “Qatar’s role was crucial in supporting mediation between the conflicting parties in Gaza,” adding that “the efforts of Qatar and the United Nations together reflect a model of positive cooperation to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.”
The UN chief further stressed the importance of a comprehensive and interconnected approach to the Palestinian issue, saying: “It is essential to link Gaza and the West Bank as part of any future political settlement that is just and lasting.”
Sudan: call for accountability and political resolution
Turning to Sudan, Guterres urged both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to “work seriously with the UN special envoy for Sudan to reach a political settlement that ends the devastating war threatening the country’s unity and stability.”
He stressed that “those responsible for crimes committed in Sudan must not go unpunished,” emphasizing that accountability is a key element of any sustainable peace process.
Expressing deep concern over atrocities in El Fasher and other conflict areas, Guterres called on the international community to “continue pressing for accountability and to support urgent humanitarian efforts.”
Commitment to justice and multilateral cooperation
Guterres concluded by stressing that the world “needs a fairer and more cooperative international system,” adding: “International law and the UN Charter are the foundations of global stability. Without respect for them, we will see more conflicts and divisions.”
He reaffirmed that the United Nations will continue to “work with regional and international partners” to achieve a just peace in Palestine and end the war in Sudan through political and humanitarian solutions, not military ones.
