New York, Sept 16 (Petra) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Tuesday that Israel is not open to serious peace negotiations, particularly following its aggression against Qatar.

Speaking at a press conference, Guterres stated that "Israel is determined to go all the way and is not open to any serious negotiations to achieve a ceasefire." He emphasized that the UN General Assembly’s high-level week and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations "offer an opportunity we cannot miss," providing the full potential for dialogue and mediation.

The current times, he noted, demand more than positions and promises they require leaders to make progress and follow through.

Guterres added, "Leaders must be serious and act," stressing that much is at stake. He noted the world is meeting under "turbulent, even uncertain conditions," with widening geopolitical divides, escalating conflicts, increasing impunity, rising global temperatures, rapidly advancing technologies without safeguards, growing inequalities, and unprecedented pressures on international cooperation.

//Petra// AF