The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called on both Israel and Hamas to immediately cease their ongoing conflict. Guterres emphasized that the parties involved are violating international law by causing harm to innocent civilians. Addressing the Security Council on Tuesday, Guterres stated, "Even in times of war, there are rules that must be followed." He condemned both the attacks by Hamas and the collective punishment inflicted upon the Palestinian people in response.
The UN debate took place as Israel continues its military response to the October 7 attacks initiated by Hamas. Israel asserts that more than 1,400 people have been killed, with approximately 220 individuals taken hostage, as a result of Hamas' actions. Conversely, the Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza Strip claims that Israel's retaliatory bombings have resulted in the deaths of over 4,500 individuals.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the UN session and expressed his concern regarding the killings and hostage-taking conducted by Hamas. He raised questions about the lack of global outrage and explicit condemnation of these acts. Blinken acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense but emphasized the importance of conducting these actions with restraint. He also cautioned other regional forces against exacerbating the conflict, specifically warning Iran that any attacks on US personnel would be met with a swift and decisive response.
In his address, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen presented photographs of Israeli children held hostage, highlighting them as the innocent victims of Hamas' actions. He played an audio recording purportedly featuring a Hamas terrorist bragging about killing Israelis. Cohen even identified individuals present in the council chamber as relatives of those who had been killed or taken hostage by Hamas. Cohen's planned meeting with Guterres was canceled, and he publicly declared his refusal to meet with the UN Secretary-General due to what he perceived as a lack of a balanced approach.
Israel has frequently criticized the United Nations for what they perceive as a failure to understand the country's security situation while simultaneously focusing heavily on the plight of the Palestinians, who hold permanent observer status at the international organization. Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the hypocrisy of governments that claim to uphold human rights but allow the dehumanization and abuse of the Palestinian people. He argued that Israel was exacting revenge on the entire Palestinian population rather than targeting the perpetrators of the October 7 attacks.
Throughout the session, UN officials described the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire. While condemning the attacks by Hamas, they expressed deep concern over the scale of Israel's response and the resulting civilian casualties. The UN officials urged Israel to restore access to water and electricity in Gaza, which had been cut off, and to allow the free flow of humanitarian goods. Additionally, they urged all parties involved to prevent further escalation or the widening of the conflict, emphasizing the potential dire consequences of any miscalculations.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies, international pressure mounts for an immediate cessation of violence and the protection of innocent lives caught in the crossfire. The UN, along with various nations, has called for a swift resolution to prevent further suffering and to ensure the observance of international humanitarian law.