In a statement made on Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres unequivocally denied accusations by Israel that he had justified the attacks carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. Speaking to reporters, Guterres expressed shock at the misrepresentation of his words, asserting that he had actually condemned acts of terror, rather than justifying them.

While Guterres did not specifically name Israel, he termed the accusations as false and clarified that they were the opposite of his intended message. He had stressed the importance of protecting civilians during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and had expressed concern over the clear violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip.

During a meeting of the 15-member UN Security Council, Guterres emphasized the need to adhere to the rules of war, starting with the fundamental principle of respecting and safeguarding civilians. He also acknowledged the context in which the attacks by Hamas had occurred, referring to the decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories.

However, Guterres made it clear that the grievances of the Palestinian people did not justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. Similarly, the attacks by Hamas could not validate the collective punishment inflicted upon the Palestinian population. This balanced approach underscored the Secretary-General's commitment to denouncing violence from all sides and calling for accountability.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, strongly criticized Guterres' speech, characterizing it as "shocking." Erdan went so far as to call for Guterres' immediate resignation. Additionally, Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, announced his decision to cancel a scheduled meeting with Guterres.

In response, Guterres highlighted that in his statement to the Security Council, he had explicitly condemned the Hamas attacks that had occurred on October 7, resulting in the loss of 1,400 lives. He reiterated that nothing could justify the deliberate targeting and harm inflicted upon civilians, nor the launch of rockets towards civilian areas.

The Secretary-General's rejection of Israel's accusations underscores the complex and delicate nature of addressing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As international efforts continue to seek a peaceful resolution, Guterres' emphasis on protecting civilians and condemning acts of violence is crucial. The call for all parties involved to adhere to international law and respect the rights of civilians remains at the forefront of the UN's agenda.