United Nations, October 25 (RHC)-- The Israeli regime’s ambassador to the United Nations has lashed out at UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his comments on the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, calling on the world body’s chief to resign.
Gilad Erdan made the remarks on social media platform X on Tuesday, after Guterres said that the surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas against the occupying regime "did not happen in a vacuum" and that Palestinians have been subjected to decades of “suffocating occupation.”
Erdan accused Guterres of being detached from reality, adding that his comments constitute a justification for “terrorism and murder.” He went on to say that Guterres' comments meant he was "not fit to lead the UN," calling on him to resign immediately
Early on Tuesday, Guterres voiced deep concern about Israel’s deadly bombing campaign in the besieged territory, calling for an immediate ceasefire to deliver humanitarian aid. He emphasized that Israel’s bombardment and blockade of Gaza amounted to the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people” and these actions are “clear violations of international law.” The comments sparked a fierce row with Israel.
Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen also canceled a planned meeting with Gutteres, saying: “There is no room for a balanced approach after October 7th.”
On October 7, Hamas launched its biggest operation against Israel in years in a surprise offensive, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, in response to the occupying regime’s intensified crimes against the Palestinian people.
Since then, Israel has pressed ahead with a relentless bombardment campaign against the besieged Gaza Strip -- fully supported by the United States and it's closest allies.
The death toll in Gaza since the start of Israeli aggression has reached nearly 5,800 with more than 18,000 wounded. Tel Aviv has also blocked water, food, and electricity to Gaza, plunging the besieged territory into a humanitarian crisis.
The regime has further ordered 1.1 million people in the north of Gaza to evacuate and move south of the blockaded territory.
