The UN Secretary-General has welcomed Wednesday’s announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza following 15 months of war.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, describing the deal as a "critical first step and urging parties to seize this opportunity to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians,

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday it was "imperative" the newly struck Gaza ceasefire removes obstacles to aid deliveries as he welcomed the deal that includes a prisoner and hostage exchange.

UN relief agencies and humanitarians, led by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the Gaza ceasefire accord reached between Israel and Hamas, and called for a massive scaling up of humanitarian operations.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Lebanon on Thursday for a "solidarity visit," his deputy spokesman said, after a long-stalled presidential election and a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel.