A heated diplomatic dispute between Israel and the United Nations has erupted, with Israeli officials demanding the resignation of Secretary General Antonio Guterres. This comes after Guterres acknowledged that Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel “did not happen in a vacuum.” Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Guterres called for a humanitarian ceasefire on Tuesday amidst the worsening crisis in Gaza. He condemned the “appalling” actions of Hamas and emphasized that even in war, there are rules that must be followed.
These remarks infuriated Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who was present in the chamber during Guterres’ speech. Cohen rebuked Guterres, questioning the reality he lives in and declaring that there is no room for a balanced approach after the October 7 attacks. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, joined in the demand for Guterres’ resignation, accusing him of expressing sympathy for terrorism and murder.
In response to the escalating tensions, Israel announced a visa ban on United Nations officials, having already rejected an application from the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The strained relationship between Israel and the UN highlights the calls for a ceasefire and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Guterres attempted to clarify his statements on Wednesday, expressing shock at the misinterpretations made by some. He reiterated his condemnation of the October 7 attacks but stood firm on his call for a ceasefire and his acknowledgment of the historical treatment of Palestinians. Erdan criticized Guterres once again, stating that a Secretary-General who fails to understand the gravity of innocent lives lost cannot fulfill his role.
The main United Nations agency operating in Gaza announced that it would be forced to suspend its activities due to a lack of fuel. The territory has experienced days of airstrikes and a near-complete blockade following the Hamas attacks. Efforts to secure a ceasefire at the UN have been unsuccessful, with the US vetoing a draft resolution proposed by Brazil. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested “humanitarian pauses” but did not explicitly call for a ceasefire.
The UN’s Security Council remains divided on how to address the crisis, as two different resolutions proposed by the US and Russia failed to pass. The US resolution called for humanitarian pauses, while Russia’s proposed resolution did not gain approval from the Council. The Israeli government reported that over 200 hostages, including foreign nationals from 25 countries, are being held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
The World Health Organization echoed the calls for a ceasefire, stating that it is unable to provide essential supplies to major hospitals in northern Gaza due to security concerns. Multiple hospitals in Gaza have been forced to close due to fuel shortages.
