UN Chief Urges Gaza Ceasefire, ICJ Ruling Enforcement at UN Assembly

At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate ceasefires in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, emphasizing the devastating scale of death and destruction in Gaza, which he described as nearing a "third monstrous year." Guterres urged the full and immediate implementation of binding provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice, which require Israel to prevent genocide, cease military operations, and allow unimpeded humanitarian aid in Gaza. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, arguing it would reward Hamas and escalate conflict, and announced plans to present a U.S. proposal to Arab and Muslim leaders aimed at ending the Israel-Gaza war. Trump is also scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several Arab leaders to discuss ceasefire and post-war governance, with a focus on excluding Hamas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied reports that Trump received a Hamas letter proposing a partial hostage release, stating the U.S. demands the release of all hostages immediately. Other world leaders, including Brazil's Lula, Turkey's Erdogan, Jordan's King Abdullah, and Qatar's leader, strongly condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza, labeling them as genocide and calling for an end to the violence.