UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep regret over the UN Security Council's failure to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, condemning the divisions that have paralyzed the world body.

Addressing the Doha Forum in Qatar, Guterres highlighted the council's inability to act due to geostrategic divisions, hindering efforts to address the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 17,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly civilians.

Guterres underscored that the council's "authority and credibility were severely undermined" by its delayed response to the Israeli aggression, emphasizing this point just two days after a US veto prevented a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared," the UN chief stated at the forum. "Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it," he added. "I can promise, I will not give up."

Guterres also emphasized the importance of continued efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and called for international collaboration to bring about a resolution to the conflict. (ILKHA)