“Nothing can justify” Middle East hostilities – UN boss
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Newly-elected United Nations Secretary General-designate Antonio Guterres looks on a photo opportunity at the United Nations (UN) headquarters October 13, 2016 in New York City. Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, will replace outgoing secretary general Ban Ki-moon starting in January 2017. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the recent violence in the Middle East, stating that “nothing can justify” the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 or the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people” by Israel.
The UN boss highlighted the need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a two-state solution, urging the international community to mobilize towards this goal.
Guterres also warned that Lebanon is on the brink of becoming another Gaza, describing the crisis as a “nonstop nightmare that threatens to take the whole region down.”
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The situation is dire, with Israeli strikes killing at least 569 people, including 50 children and 94 women, and displacing over half a million people in southern Lebanon.
The conflict escalated after hundreds of communication devices exploded across Lebanon, drawing widespread condemnation as a violation of international law.
World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have called for a diplomatic solution to prevent a full-scale war. The UN has stressed the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
