UN Secretary-General Calls for Peace on International Day of Peace

On September 21st, the International Day of Peace, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need for global peace amid escalating conflicts worldwide, Khaama Press reported today. In a statement shared on social media, Guterres remarked, “Everywhere we look, peace is under attack,” highlighting the dire situations in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and other regions.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, fueled by Russia’s military aggression, has resulted in one of Europe’s largest humanitarian crises since World War II, with countless lives lost and millions displaced. Civilians face severe hardships as infrastructure is relentlessly targeted.

In the Middle East, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have intensified regional tensions, leading to over 41,000 deaths and thousands more injured since the outbreak of war. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, exacerbated by blockades and shortages of essential supplies.

Guterres painted a grim picture of global suffering, stating, “Civilians are being shot at, homes are crumbling, and populations are vulnerable and terrorized.” He called for an immediate halt to these trends, emphasizing that the ongoing instability in regions like Yemen and Syria further complicates efforts for peace.

As the world observes this day dedicated to peace, the UN Secretary-General’s message serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address these crises and restore hope for a peaceful future.

Meanwhile, the United Nations stated that detonating handheld communication devices in Lebanon could be classified as a war crime, following blasts that killed 37 and injured nearly 3,000.

U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the attacks, emphasizing that using seemingly harmless objects as weapons violates international humanitarian law. Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Bouhabib, labeled the incident a brutal act of terrorism by Israel, which has not commented on the blasts but plans to expand its military actions in Gaza to include Lebanon. The U.N. urged for restraint amid escalating tensions following an Israeli strike on Beirut.