Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 21, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 21, 2025
UN chief calls for immediate ceasefire, warns of casualties from Gaza City takeover
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, after Israel announced the first steps of an operation to take over Gaza City.
“It is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza,” to avoid the death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would cause, Guterres says in Japan where he is attending a conference on African development.
Guterres calls for the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. He also urges Israel to reverse a decision to expand “illegal” settlement construction in the West Bank.
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