Kinshasa, October 9th, 2025 (CPA/APS). – The General Secretary of the United Nations has welcomed on Thursday the announcement of an agreement to end the war in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the entry of humanitarian aid and the exchange of prisoners, has reported the Algeria Press Service. ‘I urge all the stakeholders to seize this unique opportunity to establish a credible political path towards ending the occupation, the recognition of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the implementation of a two-state solution. The suffering must end,’ has declared Antonio Guterres, General Secretary of the UN. ‘All the hostages must be released with dignity, a permanent ceasefire must be guaranteed, and the immediate and obstruction-free entry of humanitarian aid and essential commercial goods into the Gaza Strip must be ensured,’ he has continued. In addition, he has affirmed that the United Nations would fully support the implementation of the agreement in stages, as well as the continuation of rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by two years of bombing.
UN reduces peacekeeping force by 25% following US cuts
Moreover, the United Nations will begin to reduce its peacekeeping force and operations, forcing thousands of soldiers to evacuate hot spots around the world as a result of the latest US cuts in funding for the international organisation. Approximately 13,000 to 14,000 military and police personnel out of the more than 50,000 peacekeepers deployed across nine global missions will be sent back to their home countries. The United Nations’ decision comes as the organisation expects further reductions in its funding, with the United States pushing forward to further Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ vision.