The Secretary-General is shocked by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, in which a meaningful number of civilians have been killed.
He strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally.





![Ramiz Alakbarov (on screen), Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, briefs the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. [UN Photo/ Mark Garten - 16 December 2025]](/sites/default/files/styles/3_2_lg/public/2025-12/ramiz_alakbarov_-_161225_un_photo_mark_garten.jpg?h=0f8e3b93&itok=tEaZR0bw)