In a rapidly escalating diplomatic clash, Israel has called for the resignation of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres following his remarks concerning the recent spate of Hamas attacks in the country.
The Israeli officials have vociferously objected to Guterres’ assertion that the attacks on October 7 did not occur in isolation, leading to a vehement exchange of words between the two parties.
During a crucial Security Council meeting, Guterres urged for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as the situation in Gaza continues to worsen.
He highlighted the evident breaches of international humanitarian law, condemning the horrifying spree of murders and kidnappings perpetrated by the Hamas on October 7. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Guterres firmly asserted that no justification exists for the deliberate targeting of civilians or the wanton launch of rockets at civilian establishments.
“It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum,” Guterres said.
“The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished.”
“But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Excellencies, even war has rules,” he added.
Amidst Guterres’ remarks, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, present in the chamber, voiced his vehement displeasure, expressing, “In what world do you live?” said Cohen. “Definitely, this is not our world.”
Taking to social media afterward, Cohen underscored the gravity of the October 7th atrocities, declaring,
“after the October 7th massacre, there is no place for a balanced approach. Hamas must be erased off the face of the planet!”
Echoing Cohen’s sentiments, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, demanded Guterres’ resignation, condemning what he perceived as the Secretary-General’s leniency towards acts of terrorism and violence.
In a subsequent development on Wednesday, Erdan confirmed Israel’s decision to block visas for United Nations officials, further revealing the rejection of an application by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths. Erdan conveyed this information during an interview with the Israeli Army Radio channel.
“It’s time we teach them a lesson,” added Erdan.
The intensifying dispute lays bare the underlying tensions surrounding the pleas from certain international monitors for an immediate ceasefire, against the backdrop of a deteriorating humanitarian emergency in Gaza.
In an attempt to clarify his position, Guterres emphasized on Wednesday that he was taken aback by the misinterpretations of his remarks during the Security Council session. He clarified that his intent was never to condone or justify the actions of Hamas as some had inaccurately presumed.
“This is false. It was the opposite,” he told reporters, restating his condemnation of the October 7 attacks.
However, Guterres stood firm in his stance, maintaining his appeal for a ceasefire on Tuesday and his acknowledgement of the historical treatment of Palestinians.
Later on Wednesday, Erdan reiterated his previous censure of the Secretary-General, characterizing Guterres’ failure to retract or express regret for his remarks as a “disgrace.”
A Secretary-General who does not understand that the murder of innocents can never be understood by any ‘background’ cannot be Secretary-General,” Erdan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Israel – Hamas Conflict: 200 Hostages, 20 Children Held in Gaza
The primary United Nations organization operating in Gaza announced that it would cease its activities by Wednesday evening due to a fuel shortage, a result of the recent spate of airstrikes and a virtual blockade following the assaults by Hamas.
Efforts within the UN to endorse a ceasefire have faced setbacks, with the United States vetoing a proposed resolution put forth by Brazil last week.
During an interaction with the agency on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the necessity of “humanitarian pauses” to enable the delivery of aid to the civilians in Gaza, notably refraining from using the term “ceasefire.” On Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby rejected calls for a ceasefire, stating on CNN that Hamas should first release hostages held in Gaza.
With nearly three weeks having passed since the outbreak of hostilities, the UN’s Security Council remains deeply divided on the appropriate course of action to address the ongoing crisis.
Two distinct resolutions addressing the issue, one presented by the US and the other by Russia, faced rejection during the session on Wednesday.
The US-drafted resolution emphasized the necessity for “humanitarian pauses” rather than a complete ceasefire, aimed at facilitating the provision of aid to civilians in Gaza. Notably, the US had previously vetoed a similar proposal put forth by Brazil that sought a humanitarian pause.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Urges “Humanitarian Pause” to Enable Aid Access to Gaza
However, the resolutions from both the US and Russia were vetoed, with China and Russia opposing the US proposal. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed her profound disappointment at this turn of events.
Responding to Greenfield’s remarks, China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun highlighted that their objection stemmed from the resolution’s failure to demand a cessation of the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by all parties involved.
The Russian resolution, presented during the session on Wednesday, also met with disapproval from the Council.
According to the Israeli government, over 200 hostages are currently being held in Gaza by Hamas groups and Islamic Jihad. In an update released on Wednesday, it was revealed that 135 of these hostages possess foreign passports from 25 different countries. Thailand had the largest number of nationals held, totaling 54, followed by Argentina with 15 nationals, and then Germany and the US with 12 each.
The World Health Organization meanwhile reiterated calls on Tuesday for a ceasefire, saying it is “unable to distribute fuel and essential, life-saving health supplies to major hospitals in northern Gaza due to lack of security guarantees.” Six hospitals in Gaza have been forced to shut due to a lack of fuel, WHO added.
