U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to shocking violence and bloodshed to mark the first anniversary of the Gaza war.
On the 6th local time, Secretary-General Guterres said of Hamas, a Palestinian militant faction, that "the international community once again condemns terrible acts, including hostage taking."
He also appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, saying, "Now we need to put down our guns and stop the suffering that has enveloped the region."
"It is time for peace, international law and justice," he said, imploring Hamas to allow Red Cross personnel to take care of the hostages.
The Gaza war broke out in October last year when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, and 97 of the 251 people Hamas kidnapped were detained, and the Israeli military believes 33 of them were killed.
Guterres also expressed concern about Israel's recent airstrikes on Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant faction that has expressed solidarity with Hamas, spreading the conflict to Lebanon.
"The war caused by the horrific attack a year ago destroyed the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and now it is causing serious suffering to Lebanon," he said.
Israel's airstrikes and ground fighting have caused more than 9,000 casualties in Lebanon in the last three weeks.
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