Doha: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both Israel and Hamas to adhere to the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Guterres said shortly before the first phase of the ceasefire ended that the ceasefire agreement must continue, and hostages must be released.

According to Qatar News Agency, Guterres emphasized in a statement issued on Saturday that the coming days are extremely important, and both parties must spare no effort to avoid the collapse of this agreement. The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on Jan. 19, ends today, Saturday.

In the same context, Guterres stated that a clear political framework must be established to ensure Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction, and long-term stability, based on the principles of international law, the prevention of ethnic cleansing, and the absence of a long-term Israeli military presence. He stressed that Gaza should remain part of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, without diminishing its land or forcibly relocating its inhabitants.

The UN Secretary-General also called for an urgent halt to the escalating situation in the West Bank, emphasizing the need for unilateral actions to stop, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation. He called for concrete steps to protect the Palestinian people and implement a two-state solution, stressing that the Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, shape their future, and live freely and safely on their land.