Dennis Francis, the president of the UN General Assembly, has renewed his call for a “longer-term humanitarian ceasefire”.

“I’m deeply alarmed and saddened by the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East,” said Francis, who holds the rotating presidency of the UN’s largest body on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago, in a post on X.

Dennis also called for the “unconditional release of all remaining hostages and for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid to Palestinians”.