UN chief Antonio Guterres calls for immediate ceasefire to end 'epic suffering' in Gaza

October 25, 2023

The UN chief called for an immediate ceasefire to end "epic suffering" in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed more than 700 people in a single day and forced hospitals to close due to fuel shortages. .

Antonio Guterres said the bombing and blockade of Gaza amounts to "collective punishment against the Palestinian people" and violates international law, a comment that sparked a heated argument with Israel.

"We will make the delivery of relief supplies easier and safer and facilitate the release of hostages to alleviate the terrible suffering. "I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire."

Prime Minister Guterres said Hamas' October 7 attack was "horrific" but did not occur in isolation. "The Palestinian people have been subjected to an oppressive occupation for 56 years," he said. “They have seen their land constantly consumed by settlements and destroyed by violence. Their economies have come to a standstill. Their people have been displaced and their homes destroyed.

Israel's special envoy to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, called on Mr. Guterres to immediately resign and accused him of being out of touch with reality. ``His comments... constitute a justification for terrorism and murder. It is sad that a man with this is the head of an organization that emerged after the Holocaust.''

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen canceled a scheduled meeting with Mr. Guterres. The Hamas-run health ministry said at least 704 people had been killed in 4,444 airstrikes the previous day. The total number of deaths in Gaza after 18 days of bombing is 5,791, including 2,360 children.