Guterres calls for linking Gaza with West Bank, says forces deployed must have UN mandate

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for linking Gaza and the West Bank, adding that any force deployed in Gaza must have a UN mandate.

"We are actively involved in ensuring that aid provided to the residents of the Gaza Strip is increased. We strongly support the need for the ceasefire agreement in Gaza to hold and the need to link Gaza and the West Bank," he said. 

"The Security Council is discussing the draft resolution submitted by the United States regarding the force to be deployed in Gaza," he added. 

The comments come as the UN secretary general’s deputy spokesperson confirmed that 81 percent of the enclave’s structures have suffered destruction, underscoring the catastrophic scale of Israel’s assault on the enclave, which has been recognised as a genocide by the UN.