Guterres Warns of Global Crises, Says Violence in Gaza Has Crossed All Limits
NEW YORK: The **United Nations General Assembly’s annual session** opened in New York with a stark warning from Secretary-General **Antonio Guterres**, who expressed deep concern over escalating global crises and conflicts.
Recalling the UN’s creation 80 years ago to safeguard peace, Guterres said the very principles on which the organization was founded are now “under siege,” with peace and development shaken by **indifference, inequality, and impunity**.
Highlighting the situation in **Gaza**, Guterres said that the cycle of violence has “crossed all limits,” describing it as one of the worst humanitarian tragedies of modern times. He lamented that international court rulings on Gaza have not been respected and condemned the **collective punishment of civilians** in response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks, stressing that “there is no justification for it.”
The UN chief called for an **immediate and permanent ceasefire** in Gaza and the **release of all hostages**, while also warning against the deliberate weakening of the UN’s role and capacity.
He further criticized the **repeated use of veto power** by major powers, indirectly pointing to the United States and Russia, which has limited the UN’s effectiveness in addressing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
The General Assembly session comes as the **Trump administration has again slashed funding** for the UN, a move that Guterres warned would directly undermine the organization’s ability to function. The United States remains the UN’s largest financial contributor.
