Last Updated:
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the situation in Gaza “intolerable” and said a two-state solution is the “only way out of this nightmare.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Image Credit: Reuters)
United Nations General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock on Monday condemned the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank while emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution. Meanwhile, Monaco became the latest country to recognise the Palestinian state.
CNN quoted Baerbock as saying that the settlement expansions and demolition in the occupied West Bank are “eroding any prospects for a political solution.”
Recommended Stories
Israel had approved the plan to build new housing units in the West Bank that would cut the territory in two.
Previously, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that “the Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans, but with actions”.
The UNGA President recalled her interactions with both Palestinians, whose family members are “buried in the ruins of Gaza,” and families of the hostages still waiting for their loved ones to be released from Hamas captivity.
“As one Israeli mother told me, it does not bring my child back if a Palestinian mother loses her child in Gaza,” she said. “The horrors of Gaza make equally clear that we cannot allow such devastation to happen again.”
At the meet, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the situation in Gaza “intolerable” and said a two-state solution is the “only way out of this nightmare.”
While welcoming countries’ decisions to recognize a two-state solution, he pointed out that nothing can justify the horrific seven October terror attacks by Hamas or the taking of hostages.”
“And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he added.
On Israel and US’s remarks that statehood for Palestinians is a reward for Hamas, the UN chief said that it was “a right, not a reward” and without it, there will be “no peace” in the region.
Monaco became the latest country to recognize the Palestinian state. Prince Albert II made the announcement at a summit during the United Nations General Assembly.
“Today, we wish to reaffirm our unwavering support to Israel’s existence, and we also wish to recognize Palestine as a state under international law,” he said.
According to CNN, Monaco became the latest country to join more than 145 other countries that have recognized a Palestinian state.
New York, United States of America (USA)
September 23, 2025, 02:53 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
