He was asked to resign and caused the most violent reactions. Israel continues to react angrily to the statements of UN Secretary General António Guterres and believes that the UN should be taught a lesson. Below, we reproduce Guterres’ speech from the podium of the Security Council

What Antonio Guterres said:

Mr. President, with your permission, I will make a short introduction, and then I will ask my colleagues to brief the Security Council on the situation on the ground.

Your Excellency,

The situation in the Middle East is getting worse by the hour.

The war in Gaza is raging and threatens to spread to the entire region.

At a crucial time like this, it is vitally important to clearly define principles, starting with the fundamental principle of protecting civilians.

We unequivocally condemned the horrific and unprecedented terrorist acts by Hamas in Israel on October 7.

Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, wounding and abduction of civilians or the firing of rockets at civilian targets.

All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately. I respectfully note the presence of their family members among us.

Your Excellency,

It is also important to recognize that the Hamas attacks were not in vain

The Palestinian people have been subjected to a suffocating occupation for 56 years.

They saw their land constantly devoured and marred by violence; their economy suffocated; their people were evicted and their homes destroyed. Their hopes for a political solution to their situation have been dashed.

But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the horrific attacks of Hamas. But these horrific attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Your Excellency,

Even war has rules.

We must demand that all parties abide by and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law; be careful in conducting hostilities in order to preserve the civilian population; protect hospitals and respect the inviolability of the UN headquarters, which today houses more than 600,000 Palestinians.

The relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, the high level of civilian casualties and the complete destruction of neighborhoods are deeply disturbing.

I miss and respect dozens of UN colleagues who work for UNRWA. Sadly, at least 35 of them have died in the blasts over the past two weeks.

I am obliged to condemn these and many similar crimes to their families.

The protection of the civilian population is of primary importance in any armed conflict.

Protecting civilians never means using them as human shields.

Protecting civilians does not mean ordering the transfer of over a million people to the south, where there is no shelter, food, water, medicine or fuel, and then continuing to bomb the south.

I am deeply concerned about the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza.

Let me be clear: no side in an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.

Your Excellency,

Fortunately, humanitarian aid is finally arriving in Gaza.

But this is a drop of help in the ocean of needs.

Also, our UN fuel supplies in Gaza will run out within days. That would be another disaster.

Without fuel, aid cannot be delivered, hospitals will have no electricity, and drinking water cannot be purified or even pumped.

The people of Gaza need continued aid delivery at a level that meets the enormous needs. This assistance should be provided without restrictions.

I salute our UN colleagues and partners in Gaza who are working in dangerous conditions and risking their lives to provide aid to those in need. They are our inspiration.

To alleviate the epic suffering, make aid delivery easier and safer, and facilitate the release of hostages, I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Your Excellency,

Even at this moment of grave and imminent danger, we cannot lose sight of the only realistic basis for true peace and stability: the two-state solution.

Israelis must see the realization of their legitimate security needs, and the Palestinians must see the realization of their legitimate aspirations for an independent state in accordance with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

Finally, we must clearly understand the principle of respect for human dignity.

Polarization and dehumanization are fueled by a tsunami of misinformation.

We must confront the forces of anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of hatred.

Mr. President,

Your Excellency,

Today is United Nations Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter.

This Charter reflects our shared commitment to promote peace, sustainable development and human rights.

On this UN Day, in this critical hour, I call on all to withdraw before the violence takes more lives and spreads further

Thank you very much.

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