UN Chief Criticizes Israeli Military Operations in Gaza

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has sharply criticized Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, describing them as "fundamentally wrong" due to the extensive civilian casualties and destruction. In an interview at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on December 3, 2025, Guterres suggested there are strong reasons to believe that war crimes may have been committed.

Guterres emphasized the disproportionate impact on civilians, stating, "I think 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 further noted that despite the devastation, the objective to destroy Hamas has not been achieved.

In response, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon accused Guterres of bias and criticized him for not visiting Israel. Danon stated, "The only crime committed is the moral abomination that more than two years after the horrific massacres of October 7, the UN secretary-general has still not visited Israel."

The conflict in Gaza escalated on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken. In response, Israel launched a comprehensive military campaign in Gaza, leading to significant civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. As of December 2025, reports indicate that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the conflict.

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire has been in place since October 10, 2025. However, violations continue, with recent Israeli airstrikes reported, indicating the fragility of the truce.

Guterres's statements have intensified the international discourse on Israel's conduct in Gaza, especially in light of the ongoing conflict that began in October 2023 and has resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian deaths. His comments underscore the challenges in achieving a sustainable ceasefire and highlight the pressing need for accountability and humanitarian intervention.

Guterres's condemnation of Israel's military operations in Gaza brings renewed attention to the humanitarian crisis and the complexities of achieving lasting peace in the region. His remarks serve as a call to action for the international community to address the violations of international law and to work towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict.