Nothing justifies Israel’s collective punishment of the people of Gaza as they endure “unimaginable” suffering, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told AFP on Monday.
Guterres lashed out at Israel’s handling of its offensive in the devastated Palestinian territory, now almost in its second year, as the UN prepares to host world leaders starting next week.
“It is unimaginable, the level of suffering in Gaza, the level of deaths and destruction have no parallel in everything I’ve witnessed since (becoming) secretary-general,” said Guterres, who has led the embattled international organization since 2017.
“We all condemn the terror attacks made by Hamas, as well as the taking of the hostages, that is an absolute violation of international humanitarian law,” he said.
Guterres is not counting on a breakthrough during the General Assembly’s high-level week from Sunday
“But the truth is that nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and that is what we are witnessing in a dramatic way in Gaza,” he added, decrying the widespread carnage and hunger blighting Gaza.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said yesterday that at least 41,252 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive. More than 200 humanitarian workers, mostly UN staff, have also been killed.
“Accountability should be a must” for all civilian deaths, Guterres said acknowledging “serious violations” had been perpetrated by both Israel and Hamas.
Against that backdrop the UN leader has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, but talks overseen by the United States, Egypt and Qatar remain deadlocked, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of resisting a deal.
“They are endless,” Guterres said of the talks, saying it would be “very difficult” to reach a compromise but that he remained hopeful.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refusing to return his calls since October, Guterres is not counting on a breakthrough during the General Assembly’s high-level week from Sunday when he would typically receive all visiting heads of state and government.
“As far as I understand, it was already said publicly that it is not his intention to ask for any meeting with me. So of course, the meeting will very probably not take place,” Guterres said, brushing off the apparent snub.
