By james art John Sweeney was speaking on the first anniversary of the day Israeli forces launched their ground invasion of Gaza, which came after Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7 last year.
Mr Swinney said international recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine, as part of a two-state solution, was also a “fundamental pillar” on which lasting peace could be built.
He also called for the unconditional release of all hostages.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began more than a year ago.
In its count, the ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Mr Swinney said: “The ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza is now entering its second year. The horror, suffering and killing we have seen unfold in Gaza in real time, on such a devastating scale, has now spread throughout the region.
“The need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is central to achieving wider peace in the Middle East and we must see the unconditional release of all hostages.”
“International recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine, as part of a two-state solution, is also an essential pillar on which we can build lasting peace.”
Mr Swinney said there had been “repeated violations of international law and human rights abuses since the beginning of the conflict”.
He said Israel “must stop blocking essential humanitarian aid from reaching wounded and starving civilians who are surviving in nightmarish conditions.”
The First Minister also reiterated the Scottish Government’s calls for an end to all UK arms sales to Israel.
He added: “Tens of thousands of lives were lost and millions more were directly affected by this disaster.
“I support our communities in Scotland who have lost loved ones and face the daily agony of not knowing if their family members will make it through the day.”