United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting about his invoking Article 99 of the United Nations charter to address the humanitarian crisis in the midst of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, Dec. 8, 2023. (Credit: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that Hamas brutality could never justify "collective punishment" of Palestinians as Israel presses its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza strip.
"Some 130 hostages are still held captive. I call for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as their humane treatment and visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross until they are freed," Guterres said at an emergency meeting of the organization's Security Council.
"At the same time, the brutality perpetrated by Hamas can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that Hamas brutality could never justify "collective punishment" of Palestinians as Israel presses its campaign against Hamas in the Gaza strip.
"Some 130 hostages are still held captive. I call for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as their humane treatment and visits from the...