Hamas attacks cannot 'justify collective punishment' of Palestinians: UN chief

Addressing the Security Council on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Hamas’ attacks in Israel cannot "justify collective punishment" of the Palestinian people.

He cautioned that the situation in the Middle East is growing more dire by the hour and that the Gaza conflict risks spiraling throughout the region.

"But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," said Guterres

He stressed that it is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.

Guterres also said he is "deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza.”

"Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law," he added.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless air campaign against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 7,100 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 5,791 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.