New york: Iceland's Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir warned of a "systematic ethnic cleansing" taking place in Gaza while addressing the UN General Assembly on Saturday, calling Israel's acts "cruel," "inhumane," and "illegal."

According to Anadolu Agency, Gunnarsdottir stated, "We are witnessing now crimes against humanity and war crimes in broad daylight; what appears before us is systematic ethnic cleansing. This needs to end. We need an immediate ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and the unconditional release of all hostages."

She emphasized that "nothing" justifies the collective punishment, starvation, and forced displacement of Palestinians, reiterating her description of Israel's actions as "cruel," "inhumane," and "illegal."

Gunnarsdottir also reiterated the importance of a two-state solution, underlining that mutual recognition remains the "only viable path to peace." She criticized Israeli officials' calls for annexation or the expulsion of Palestinians, stating that these actions are not about defending Israel's security but rather violations of international law, describing them as "hateful, illegal, and a direct obstacle to peace."

Furthermore, Gunnarsdottir highlighted the broader implications of such conflicts, drawing parallels with Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the war in Sudan, which she described as stark demonstrations of troubling global trends and a growing disregard for international law and multilateral commitments.

She concluded by expressing concern over the undermining of fundamental principles of self-determination and equal rights for all nations, noting the Security Council's perceived paralysis and a rise in isolationism and big power politics.