The restrictions on the movement of goods and people to and from Gaza must be eased, with the goal of ultimately lifting them.

Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, ultimately requires political solutions, said Guterres, calling on Palestinian leaders to engage constructively with Egypt and others to advance intra-Palestinian reconciliation.

The holding of long-overdue general elections in the state of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, will be a crucial step toward giving renewed legitimacy to national institutions and reuniting the Palestinian people under a single, legitimate and democratic Palestinian national government, he said.

Guterres also asked member states to ensure reliable funding for the UN agency for Palestine refugees.

The UN chief presided over this year's first meeting of the committee, which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1975. Cheikh Niang, the permanent representative of Senegal to the United Nations, was elected chair of the committee.