UN Secretary General: No One Can Justify Collective Punishment Against Palestinians

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during the UN General Assembly. (Twitter/@antinooguterres)

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said no one could justify collective penalties against the Palestinian people, reminding the situation in the Gaza Strip could affect the situation in the region.

Speaking at the opening of the annual UN General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, Secretary General Guterres said "no one can justify the horrific acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7 or the hostage-taking, both of which I have repeatedly cursed."

"And nothing can justify collective penalties against the Palestinian people," he continued, quoted from The Times of Israel September 25.

Secretary-General Guterres further said, "the speed and scale of destruction and murder in Gaza were unlike anything during my tenure as secretary general," underscoring that more than 200 UN staff had been killed in the conflict there.

Secretary General Guterres stressed that the UN still provides services in the Palestinian enclave.

"I know you joined me to pay special tribute to UNRWA," he said, referring to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

He further said the international community "must move for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages immediately and unconditionally, as well as the start of irreversible processes towards a two-state solution."

"What is the alternative? How can the world accept a country where a large number of Palestinians will be included without freedom, rights, or dignity?" he asked.

On the occasion, Secretary General Guterres also expressed concern over the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"Gaza is an endless nightmare, threatening to drag the whole region with him," he said.

"There is no need to look further than Lebanon. We all have to worry about this escalation. Lebanon is on the verge of collapse. The Lebanese people, the Israeli people, and the world's people are unable to let Lebanon become another Gaza," he added.