Why it matters:
The ongoing conflict has caused devastating human losses and widespread destruction, leading to a deep and prolonged humanitarian crisis that urgently requires international attention and a political resolution.
The big picture:
The war, which began two years ago, has resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians, injured around 170,000 others, left thousands missing, displaced over two million people, and caused widespread devastation throughout the Gaza Strip.
What he is saying:
Antonio Guterres marked the anniversary by pleading for an end to the violence, while also endorsing a US plan as a potential pathway to "peace".
Guterres renewed his appeal "with even greater urgency" for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of captives.
He described the situation as a "humanitarian catastrophe on a scale that defies comprehension."
He called on all parties to "stop making civilians pay with their lives & their futures."
What we are hearing:
A few days after the launch of Hamas's Al-Aqsa Storm operation, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated: "Since October 7, the usurping Zionist regime has suffered an irreparable defeat—both militarily and in terms of intelligence. While many have spoken of its defeat, I emphasize the irreparable nature of this loss."
He added, "This devastating earthquake has succeeded in destroying key pillars of the usurping regime's governance, and rebuilding those structures will not be easily achievable. Despite its bluster and the support it currently receives from Western powers, it is unlikely that the usurping Zionist regime can restore them."
He further stated, "Since Saturday, October 7th, the Zionist regime is no longer what it once was, and the blow it has suffered cannot be easily remedied."
Go deeper:
WHO: 42,000 Gazans Suffer Life-Changing Injuries, One in Four Children
M.Majdi - ahmad shirzadian
