UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories is “out of control”, calling for a political solution to lasting peace.
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22/10/2026
by
Lusa
O uN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today warned that the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories is “out of control” and advocated a political solution to lasting peace.
“ The situation in the occupied Palestinian territories is out of control. In Gaza, essential aid continues to be severely restricted by Israel when winter is getting closer,” Guterres said in a message released on social networks.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations also warned of the growing difficulties in implementing the plan approved by the Security Council for Gaza.
In the occupied West Bank, Guterres denounced the daily attacks of Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities, considering that they aim to drive the inhabitants out of their lands.
“ The Palestinians continue to suffer daily attacks by Israeli settlers, whose clear objective is to expel these communities from their lands,” Guterres said.
The UN senior officer also expressed concern about the attacks on journalists and diplomats, classifying the situation as unsustainable.
“ Journalists and diplomats are being attacked, in a situation that is simply out of control,” Guterres lamented, who insisted on the need to establish “a credible political path to lasting peace”, defending the end of the Israeli occupation and the implementation of the two-state solution.
“ It is necessary to put an end to the occupation and make a two-state solution come true, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,” Guterres said.
The Secretary-General also warned of insufficient funding for humanitarian operations for the Palestinian population.
According to Guterres, the World Food Programme (WFP) urgently needs USD 450 million (about EUR 400 million) to ensure food assistance to the people of Gaza and the West Bank over the coming months.
“ This amount is equivalent to what the world spends in defense in just 90 minutes,” said the UN leader, calling for donor countries to be mobilised.
The statements arise in the context of increased violence in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest season, with successive attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian farmers and international observers.
In recent days, an American photographer from The Washington Post and a number of European diplomats were attacked by settlers while accompanying Palestinian agricultural activities.
On Wednesday, about 80 activists, including rabbis and international volunteers, were arrested by Israeli forces during an olive pick-up near Bethlehem.
Among the detainees was American Democratic candidate Brad Lander, however released with a warning, while dozens of other participants remained in custody.