UN’s Guterres Urges End to Middle East Violence, Calls for Ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran, and Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over escalating violence in the Middle East on Tuesday. He urged Israel to reopen crossings into Gaza and called for all attacks to cease immediately.

On Monday, Israel struck targets in Iran for the first time since April’s ceasefire following missile strikes by Iran on Israel, according to Tehran. Both countries halted hostilities shortly after US President Trump intervened but kept options open for resumption.

The most direct confrontation between the two nations since April threatened Washington’s diplomatic efforts with Iran. Guterres also demanded immediate reopening of all Gaza crossings to facilitate humanitarian aid flow.

A ceasefire brokered by the US has been in place since October 2025, providing increased aid guarantees. Israeli and Hamas forces have repeatedly accused each other of violating this agreement, resulting in over 950 deaths according to health officials, with four soldiers killed by militants during this period.