Gaza, Feb. 8 -- A top UN official in the Middle East underscored the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza during a briefing to journalists at UN headquarters on Wednesday.

In New York for discussions on how to "chart a way out of this crisis and how we can do it with the parties on the ground," UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, said, "We know very well" what the impediments are for this to happen politically, which must be overcome.

Having "been on the road" since the Gaza crisis erupted on October 7 last year, Wennesland will meet with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the five permanent members of the Security Council-China, France, Russia, Britain, and the United States-before heading to Wash...