UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the temporary truce and said the UN urges Israel and Lebanon to respect the ceasefire from all sides involved in the conflict. In a statement issued through his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres said he hoped the 10-day halt in fighting would open the door to wider negotiations.
He also praised the United States for helping facilitate the ceasefire. At the same time, he stressed that all parties must fully honour the agreement and comply with international law, including international humanitarian law.
Guterres urged all actors to fully respect the truce. His choice of words extended beyond Israel and Lebanon and likely included non-state groups such as Hezbollah. The UN chief delivered a clear message: a temporary ceasefire only carries weight when all sides treat it seriously. He also stressed that the pause in fighting should create space for negotiations, not serve as a brief lull before another round of escalation.
The ceasefire, announced on Thursday, is designed to last 10 days. Guterres said he hoped it would create space for diplomacy and a broader political process. That reflects the UN’s long-standing position that there is no lasting military solution to the conflict. The Secretary-General has consistently pushed for compliance with international law and for efforts that move the region toward a more durable settlement.
Despite the UN’s welcome, the truce is fragile. It points to continuing tensions on the ground, including warnings related to movement in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah’s reported rejection of the ceasefire terms, even while the truce remains in effect.
Humanitarian concerns, including funding gaps in the UN Lebanon Flash Appeal. That means the ceasefire is not only a security issue but also a humanitarian test of whether aid and support can reach those affected by the conflict. For now, the UN’s position is one of cautious support.
Guterres has welcomed the truce, but he has also underlined that its value will depend on whether all sides respect it and use the pause to advance real negotiations.
