Guterres: Gaza Stabilization Force Needs UN Mandate

One of the largest bakeries in Khan Younis has suffered extensive damage following two years of war in Gaza.

Any transition in Gaza must preserve unity with the West Bank and support a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians, the UN Secretary-General said in Doha on Tuesday.

António Guterres was speaking at a press conference during the Second World Summit for Social Development in the Qatari capital.

He was responding to a question regarding coordination with Israel and the 20-point plan announced by US President Donald Trump for Gaza, which includes the deployment of a temporary international stabilization force, developed jointly by the US and Arab and international partners.

Aid Scale-Up Critical

The Secretary-General said the UN is “actively engaged in making sure that humanitarian aid increases dramatically” in Gaza and reaches the entire population.

He added that the United States “has been helpful in making Israel at least progressively remove some of the obstacles and difficulties that are still in place.”

“On the other hand, we have been very actively supporting the principle that the ceasefire must hold; that all parties must abide by the ceasefire; that there must be a link between Gaza and the West Bank in the way the next stage is put in place,” he continued.

“This needs to lead to a two-State solution and to the recognition of an independent Palestinian State.”

Guterres stressed that the UN’s position “has been very clear” and does not depend “on cooperating with this or that country.”

US Draft Resolution

He noted that the United States is drafting a Security Council resolution on Gaza, in consultation with other Council members. The UN Secretariat is not participating in these discussions.

“What we believe is that whatever entity is created in Gaza should have the legitimacy of a mandate from the Security Council,” he said.

Asked whether this includes an international stabilization force, he replied that “it is one of the things that has been discussed,” and added that “it would be important to have the training and formation of a Palestinian police force.”

“This transition must lead to a situation in which Gaza and the West Bank are united and the Palestinian Authority exerts full authority,” he said.

Humanitarian Efforts Continue

Meanwhile, humanitarian operations continue to scale up across Gaza in line with the 60-day response plan, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York.

He said UN agencies and partners collected 80 truckloads of supplies on Sunday, including food, animal fodder, shelter materials, winter clothing and hygiene items. This figure does not include bilateral or commercial deliveries.

“Based on preliminary data, partners collected nearly 750 pallets of relief items yesterday from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and transported them to Gaza City,” he said.

“Another four trucks delivered medicine and medical supplies. Congestion and heavy traffic continue to hamper collection efforts.”

Nearly One Million People Receiving Food Aid

Since the resumption of general food distributions on 13 October, nearly one million people – half the population – have received assistance through 46 distribution points.

“We are trying to expand this so that families can receive two monthly food parcels this month, up from one in October,” Mr Haq said.

Between mid-October and this past Sunday, the UN and partners collected more than 210 metric tonnes of animal fodder from the crossings, nearly all of which has been distributed to 1,700 herders in Deir al-Balah.

Partners providing nutrition support have also collected more than 120,000 packs of fortified cereal to prevent acute malnutrition in children.

Water and sanitation partners are scaling up efforts as well, and humanitarians have supported local authorities in rehabilitating three wells supplying neighbourhoods in Gaza City.