Israeli PM Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian Independence, UN Secretary General: Conflict Can Only Be Ended with a Two-State Solution

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres while attending the UN DK meeting. (Source: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

JAKARTA - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at a Security Council meeting in New York, United States, Tuesday, Israel's clear and repeated rejection of a two-state solution was unacceptable, prolonging the conflict in Palestine which has become a global threat.

The UN chief called the two-state solution the only way to fulfill the aspirations of both sides, saying any refusal to accept it must be firmly rejected.

"The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be ended permanently through a two-state solution," said the UN Secretary General, as reported by CNN, January 24.

Furthermore, Secretary General Guterres also repeated his call for more aid deliveries to Gaza, saying the amount of aid entering the Palestinian enclave was very insufficient.

"It would be a fantasy to think that 2.2 million people could survive on aid alone," he said.

Relatedly, the UN Secretary General hoped for more crossing points into Gaza and access to the north, saying only seven of the 29 humanitarian missions planned to the northern Wadi Gaza in early January had been completed in whole or in part.

On that occasion, Secretary General Guterres again expressed his hope that a humanitarian ceasefire would soon be realized.

"This will ensure sufficient aid gets to where it is needed, facilitate the release of hostages and help reduce tensions in the East

Middle," he said.

Quoting The National News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn global criticism in recent days, following his rejection of the idea of ​​establishing a Palestinian State.

Last week, he stated Israel "must maintain security control over Gaza even after Hamas is destroyed", underscoring his country's need to have "security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan (River)".