BEIJING: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday (Oct 18) that attacks by the militant group Hamas on Israel did not justify the "collective punishment" of Palestinians, and called for an immediate ceasefire.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, on Sep 19, 2023. BEIJING: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday that attacks by the militant group Hamas on Israel did not justify the"collective punishment" of Palestinians, and called for an immediate ceasefire."But those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," Guterres said.
Guterres called on Hamas for the"immediate and unconditional release of hostages", referring to at least 199 people kidnapped by the militants during their offensive, the deadliest in Israel's history.Israel-Hamas war: What you need to know in wake of deadly Gaza hospital strike "I call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to provide sufficient time and space to help realise my two appeals and to ease the epic human suffering we are witnessing," Guterres said.Guterres said was"fully aware of the deep grievances of the Palestinian people after 56 years of occupation".
"My heart is with the families of the victims. Hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law," Guterres said in a post on X.