In a high-level session of the Security Council on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned violations of international law in Gaza and called for an urgent humanitarian ceasefire. The conflict, marked by escalating violence between Israel and Hamas, has sparked deep divisions within the Security Council.
Israel expressed displeasure at Guterres’ plea, delivered as Israel intensified its response to Hamas attacks on the Palestinian territory. The Palestinian foreign minister, in turn, criticized the perceived inaction within the Security Council, highlighting the devastating toll on both Palestinian and Israeli civilians.
Addressing the Security Council, Guterres acknowledged the “appalling” violence initiated by Hamas militants on October 7 but cautioned against the “collective punishment” of Palestinians. Without explicitly naming Israel, he expressed deep concern about clear violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, emphasizing that no party involved in armed conflict should be exempt from such laws.
Guterres drew attention to the 56 years of what he described as a “suffocating occupation” experienced by the Palestinians. He stressed the importance of recognizing that the attacks by Hamas did not occur in isolation.
The conflict’s toll has been severe, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that over 5,700 Palestinians have lost their lives in retaliatory Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip. The UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire reflects growing international concern over the worsening situation and the need to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
