United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday applauded diplomatic efforts, including those by former U.S. President Donald Trump, for contributing to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of conflict.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Guterres acknowledged the roles of the United States, Qatar, and Turkey in securing the release of hostages and brokering the ceasefire. He highlighted the decisive impact of U.S. diplomacy, saying, “There was significant involvement from the U.S. president-elect at the time.”
Guterres noted a pivotal moment when Israel shifted its stance on the ceasefire, attributing it to robust diplomatic pressure. Trump had previously issued a strong warning, emphasizing consequences if no agreement was reached for the hostages held by Hamas.
The ceasefire, which began on Sunday, remains in effect. However, Trump expressed skepticism earlier in the week about its long-term viability.
The agreement’s initial phase facilitated the release of 33 hostages captured during Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. Despite this progress, Guterres stressed the uncertainty of future relations between Israelis and Palestinians.
He warned against potential annexation of the West Bank, stating such actions would violate international law and undermine peace efforts. “A move like this would create a state of limbo for Gaza and eliminate any chance of lasting peace in the region,” he cautioned.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently declared 2025 as a pivotal year for asserting sovereignty over the West Bank, a territory Israel refers to by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria.
During his first presidency, Trump proposed a 2020 peace plan that included extensive annexations in the West Bank, a move that faced widespread criticism internationally.
