UN chief Antonio Guterres rebuts Israel’s accusations he justified Hamas attacks

Israel-Hamas War: Antonio Guterres said, “I believe it's necessary to set the record straight.”

Updated on: Oct 25, 2023, 20:10:19 IST

By HT News Desk

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United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres rejected accusations that he had justified Hamas attacks on Israel in his statement to the Security Council .

Israel-Hamas War: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a Security Council meeting. (AP)

"I am shocked by the misrepresentations by some of my statement ... as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas. This is false. It was the opposite," he said as per news agency Reuters.

He added, "I believe it's necessary to set the record straight – especially out of respect for the victims and their families."

Antonio Guterres alleged violations of international law as Israel targeted Gaza while urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to bring in relief.

"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."

Following the remarks, Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen canceled a meeting with the UN chief and angrily pointed his finger at him during the session while reading graphic accounts of civilians killed in the October 7 assault by Hamas.

Hamas stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians. More than 6,500 Palestinians, also mainly civilians, have been killed across Gaza in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks.

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