The UN Secretary-General firmly rebuked what he described as the “false” claim by top Israeli diplomats that he had sought to justify the terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas in a speech he delivered to the Security Council. Addressing Tuesday’s debate in the Council on the worsening crisis in Israel and Palestine, the UN chief said that although nothing could justify the “appalling” attacks by Hamas of 7 October which triggered the siege and bombardment of Gaza, it was important to recognize they “did not happen in a vacuum” and did not justify the collective punishment of Palestinians.

The UN Security Council is meeting at UN Headquarters in New York for what was a scheduled quarterly open debate on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, now given greater urgency by the Hamas attacks of 7 October and the deepening humanitarian crisis as the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues. The UN chief said the situation "is growing more dire by the hour", repeating his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. "Divisions are splintering societies and tensions threaten to boil over", he said. "It is vital to be clear on principles" he added, starting with the protection of civilians.

Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for sustained humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and for Hamas to free all hostages, in remarks to the Cairo Summit for Peace. The Summit took place one day after the UN chief travelled to the Rafah border crossing in Egypt's north Sinai, the sole border crossing open with Gaza. The Summit took place one day after the UN chief travelled to the Rafah border crossing in Egypt's north Sinai, the sole border crossing open with Gaza. “There I saw a paradox -- a humanitarian catastrophe playing out in real time,” he said.

UN humanitarians said that an agreement to unlock aid deliveries across the Gaza border was near, as UN chief António Guterres delivered a powerful call in front of the gates at the Rafah crossing to get lifesaving aid moving. “We are witnessing a paradox: behind these walls we have two million people that are suffering enormously, have no water, no food, no medicine, no fuel, that is under fire, that needs everything to survive". 

With essential supplies running out in Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed for humanitarian access to the besieged enclave. “For nearly two weeks the people of Gaza have gone without any shipments of fuel, food, water, medicine, and other essentials. Disease is spreading. Supplies are dwindling. People are dying,” he said, speaking in Cairo alongside Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Mr. Guterres is in the Middle East to witness UN preparations to be able to deliver massive support to Gaza.