Along with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, Guterres hopes to step up diplomatic efforts to de-escalation between Israel and the Hamas group.

On Wednesday, the UN head called for a humanitarian ceasefire following recent deadly airstrikes on schools and hospitals that have killed hundreds of civilians.

“Each of my two humanitarian appeals has a value in themselves. They are not bargaining chips. They are simply the right thing to do,” Guterres said about his calls to Israel and Hamas.

“I call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to provide sufficient time and space to help realize my two requests and to cease the epic human suffering we are witnessing,” he stressed.

As part of his agenda, the UN Secretary-General plans to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other regional stakeholders.

On Saturday, Guterres will participate in the international conference organized by the Egyptian president.

After 12 days of Israeli aggression, thousands of Palestinians have been killed, including women and children, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

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