United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sharply criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza during a New York interview on December 3, 2025, calling the approach "fundamentally wrong" and suggesting potential war crimes. The remarks come amid a two-year conflict that has claimed over 70,000 lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
"Total neglect of civilian deaths and Gaza's destruction indicates a deeply flawed strategy," Guterres stated, questioning the efficacy of Israel's stated goal to dismantle Hamas. "Gaza lies in ruins, yet Hamas remains operational. This demands urgent reflection."
The conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, continues to draw global scrutiny. Guterres emphasized the need for accountability, saying there are "strong reasons to believe" international humanitarian law violations occurred.
As reconstruction efforts stall and regional tensions persist, the UN chief's comments amplify calls for renewed diplomatic engagement. Analysts note the statement could influence ongoing Security Council discussions about conflict resolution mechanisms.
