By Osaiyekemwen Confidence
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has responded publicly following his ban from entering Israel, a decision announced by Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz. The ban was imposed after Guterres failed to directly condemn a missile attack on Israel by Iran.
Katz justified the ban, stating, “Guterres failed to unequivocally condemn Iran’s criminal attack on Israel, and as a result, does not deserve to set foot on Israel’s soil.”
Reacting to the tensions, Guterres addressed the UN Security Council, stressing the urgent need to halt the escalating violence. He warned that each new escalation only worsens the conflict and increases civilian casualties.
“Yesterday, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel,” Guterres said. “These strikes were reportedly in retaliation for the killings of key figures such as Hassan Nasrallah, Islamic Revolutionary Guards commander Abbas Nilforoushan, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.”
Guterres noted that millions of civilians across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories were forced to seek shelter, with one Palestinian in the West Bank killed as a result of the attack.
He condemned the missile strikes, saying, “These attacks paradoxically do nothing to support the cause of the Palestinian people or reduce their suffering.”
Calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, Guterres highlighted the importance of implementing Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701 as a path toward sustainable peace in the region.
In closing, Guterres warned, “This deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence must stop. Time is running out for a peaceful resolution.”
