United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sharply condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza, calling them “fundamentally wrong” and raising serious concerns over possible war crimes committed by Israeli forces. Speaking to Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on Wednesday, Guterres highlighted the widespread civilian casualties and the massive destruction in the Palestinian territory.

Guterres Criticizes the Humanitarian Impact

Guterres criticized Israel’s military strategy, stating, “There was something fundamentally wrong in the way this operation was conducted with total neglect in relation to the deaths of civilians and to the destruction of Gaza.” He emphasized that while Israel aimed to destroy Hamas, the organization remains operational, yet the Gaza Strip has been left in ruins.

The UN chief also said there are “strong reasons to believe” that Israeli forces may have committed war crimes since the conflict began over two years ago.

Israel Responds to UN Criticism

Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, strongly rejected Guterres’ remarks, accusing him of using his platform to “lambast and condemn Israel and Israelis at every opportunity.” Danon pointed out that the UN chief has yet to visit Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks, when over 1,200 Israelis were killed in a Hamas-led assault.

In October 2024, former Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz (now Defense Minister) declared Guterres “persona non grata” in Israel, accusing him of failing to condemn Iran’s missile attacks on the country.

Human Toll in Gaza

Since October 7, 2023, more than 70,000 people have died in Gaza, with repeated strikes causing widespread destruction. Despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire under a 20-point peace plan promoted by President Donald Trump, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated the truce.

On Wednesday alone, Israeli attacks killed seven Palestinians, including two children, according to Gaza authorities. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel has reportedly violated it at least 591 times, killing 360 Palestinians and wounding 922 others.

Humanitarian Aid and US Involvement

Guterres praised the United States for improving humanitarian access in Gaza, noting that aid delivery has “considerably improved” due to Washington’s pressure on Israel. The UN chief emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

However, Israel has continued to restrict aid entry. The Rafah crossing with Egypt, a critical humanitarian lifeline, is set to open only for Gazans exiting the enclave, raising fears of permanent displacement, a policy supported by hardline elements in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Ongoing Concerns

Guterres’ remarks underline the growing international concern over the Gaza conflict, civilian protection, and adherence to international humanitarian law. The UN continues to push for accountability and increased aid access while seeking diplomatic solutions to the protracted Israeli-Palestinian crisis.