Former title: UN Secretary General Urges Israel and Hamas to Reach a Ceasefire Agreement

Xinhua News Agency, United Nations, April 30 (Reporter Shang Xuqian) - UN Secretary General Guterres held a press conference on April 30, urging Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to reach an agreement on a humanitarian ceasefire.

Guterres said that he has always called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of detainees, and a large-scale increase in humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, these have not yet been realized. Now that the negotiations have begun again, he strongly encouraged the Israeli government and the Hamas leadership to reach relevant agreements. Guterres warned that if no agreement is reached, the conflict in Gaza will accelerate and worsen.

Guterres stressed that Israel's attack on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip should be avoided. The military attack on Rafah will be an unbearable escalation of the situation. Thousands of civilians will be killed and hundreds of thousands will be forced to flee. The attack on Rafah will have a devastating impact on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and have a serious impact on the West Bank and the wider region. He said that all members of the Security Council and some other governments are clearly opposed to Israel's attack on Rafah, and countries that have influence on Israel should do their best to stop the Israeli army's attack on Rafah.

Guterres expressed shock at the discovery of mass graves in Gaza. He said that it is urgent to allow international investigators with professional forensic skills to go to the scene immediately to confirm the truth of hundreds of Palestinian deaths. The relatives of the deceased have the right to know the truth, and the world has the right to hold accountable for violations of international law.

Guterres also reiterated the support of the United Nations for the "two State solution".

Israeli government officials confirmed to the Xinhua News Agency on the 29th that Israel will send a delegation to Egypt on the 30th to participate in the ceasefire negotiations with the Palestinian side.