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Israeli minister vs UN chief on Gaza criticism: 'In what world do you live?'
Israel-Hamas War: UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres alleged violations of international law as Israel targeted Gaza.
Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen slammed UN chief Antonio Guterres over his criticism of Israel's Gaza campaign while recounting graphic details of Hamas attacks on civilians. "Mr. secretary general, In what world do you live?" Eli Cohen told Antonio Guterres at a special Security Council session on the escalating war. Meanwhile, Israel's UN ambassador Gilad Erdan described UN chief's speech as "shocking."
"His statement that 'the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum' expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder," Gilad Erdan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding, "It's truly sad that the head of an organization that arose after the Holocaust holds such horrible views."
Earlier, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres alleged violations of international law as Israel targeted Gaza. The UN chief also urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to bring in relief.
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"I am deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza. Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law," he told a UN security council session, without explicitly naming Israel.
Antonio Guterres has personally traveled to the crossing between Egypt and Gaza in a push to let in assistance.
"But it is a drop of aid in an ocean of need. In addition, our UN fuel supplies in Gaza will run out in a matter of days. That would be another disaster," he said, continuing, "To ease epic suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer, and facilitate the release of hostages, I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire."
The security council session is bringing together top diplomats including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and comes after Hamas stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 killing at least 1,400 people and taking more than 220 hostages. More than 5,700 Palestinians have been killed across the Gaza Strip in retaliatory Israeli bombardments.
