25-10-2023 (UNITED NATIONS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the Security Council on Tuesday (Oct 24), expressing his concerns about alleged violations of international law in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire as Israel continues its military campaign in response to Hamas attacks. The escalating crisis has caused deep divisions among Security Council members.
Guterres opened the session by condemning the “appalling” violence carried out by Hamas militants on Oct 7 but also cautioned against the “collective punishment” of the Palestinians. While he did not explicitly mention Israel, Guterres stated that no party involved in an armed conflict should be exempt from international humanitarian law.
The Secretary General of the United Nations of the world has something he wants you to hear. pic.twitter.com/4yH39ljNA8
— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) October 24, 2023
Highlighting the Palestinians’ decades-long occupation, Guterres emphasized that the attacks by Hamas did not occur in isolation. He acknowledged the suffering endured by the Palestinian people under 56 years of occupation and stressed the need for broader recognition of the underlying context.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen vehemently objected to Guterres’ remarks, recounting tragic incidents, including the deaths of civilians and young children, during the deadliest attack in Israeli history on Oct 7. Pointing his finger at Guterres, Cohen challenged the UN Secretary-General, questioning his understanding of the situation. Cohen rejected any connection between the violence and the occupation, asserting that Israel had fully withdrawn from Gaza in 2005.
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In addition, Israeli foreign minister cancels his meeting with the UN secretary general planned for later today in New York in protest of Guterres’ claim that Hamas’ October 7th attack “didn’t take place in a vacuum.”… pic.twitter.com/ZfMYH84EtL
— Ryan sikorski (@Ryansikorski10) October 24, 2023
Following its withdrawal, Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has remained in place since Hamas took control. Additionally, Israel continues to occupy the West Bank.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, went as far as calling for Guterres’ resignation, accusing him of sympathizing with terrorism and murder.
Hamas militants crossed into Israel on Oct 7, targeting predominantly civilian locations, including families and a music festival, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,400 people and the capture of over 220 hostages, according to Israeli officials. In response, Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip have claimed the lives of over 5,700 Palestinians, the majority being civilians, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.
Guterres, who personally visited the crossing between Egypt and Gaza to facilitate aid delivery, acknowledged the limited impact of the aid convoys, describing them as a mere drop in the ocean of need. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned that it would be forced to halt operations due to a lack of fuel.
In an effort to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation, Guterres reiterated his appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing the urgency of easing suffering and facilitating the release of hostages.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel, supported by the United States, has rejected halting its offensive, citing concerns that it would provide an opportunity for Hamas to regroup.
Last week, the United States vetoed a draft resolution on the crisis, stating that it did not adequately support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposed a new US-led resolution that incorporates feedback from Security Council members.
The draft resolution defends the inherent right of all states to self-defense while calling for compliance with international law. It also supports humanitarian pauses to allow for aid delivery but does not advocate for a complete ceasefire.
Russia, holding veto power, swiftly announced its opposition to the US draft, arguing that it lacks a clear call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister criticized the Security Council’s inaction, describing the ongoing Israeli actions as deliberate and savage massacres that must be stopped.
As the Security Council remains deadlocked, the General Assembly, although its decisions are non-binding, will address the crisis on Thursday at the request of several countries, including Jordan and Russia.
