United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said a halt in fighting in the Gaza Strip would be only a first step, insisting that a durable peace requires the creation of both a Palestinian and an Israeli state. He told reporters on Monday that the U.N. will convene a conference later this month to galvanize support for a two-state framework. Guterres described conditions in Gaza as “horrific,” citing destruction on a scale he said has “no parallel in recent times” and noting that the enclave’s 5 million residents live without basic rights. According to U.N. figures, Israel’s military campaign, launched in October 2023, has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians and devastated critical infrastructure, triggering acute shortages of food, water and medical supplies. The secretary-general called on all parties to agree to a permanent cease-fire that can serve as a bridge to negotiations on borders, security guarantees and mutual recognition. “A cease-fire must open the door to a political solution in which both Palestinians and Israelis are able to exercise their legitimate rights,” he said.