António Guterres Denounces Unprecedented Attacks on UN Charter Principles as Israeli Army Kills 400+ in Gaza

On the occasion of the UN's 80th anniversary, Secretary-General António Guterres denounced "unprecedented attacks" against the organization's founding principles and warned that "today we are witnessing attacks on the aims and principles of the UN Charter as never before."

“On the occasion of the UN's 80th anniversary, its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced 'unprecedented attacks' against the organization's founding principles”

France 24

Speaking before the General Assembly on Thursday, June 26, Guterres framed Gaza as a test of those principles, saying "Seeking food should never amount to a death sentence."

France 24

At a news conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the UN Secretary-General described Gaza as an enclave "ravaged, and gasping for breath" and said families are confined to less than a fifth of Gaza's territory.

The UN News report said more than 400 people have been killed by the Israeli army in recent weeks near sites managed by the Foundation, without UN coordination, while UN humanitarian operations remain hampered.

Guterres also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for the release of all hostages, and for total, safe and durable humanitarian access, warning that "The UN Charter is not optional."

The UN retorted to accusations of misinformation about Gaza by saying, "It was not us who invented the images the whole world has seen," after the Foundation criticized the UN over videos widely circulated on social media.

The UN News account said the videos showed Palestinian civilians shot or wounded as they tried to obtain food near distribution centers of the humanitarian foundation for Gaza, an initiative supported by Israel and the United States.

UN News

It added that the Secretary-General responded to criticisms from the Foundation by reminding that "there must be accountability" when there is a violation of international law.

The UN News report also said that a few hours earlier Haaretz published testimonies from Israeli soldiers claiming they had been ordered to shoot unarmed Palestinian civilians waiting for aid.

In the same remarks, Guterres said Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation under international law to authorize and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, while humanitarian operations continue to be stifled.

Guterres said only on Wednesday the World Health Organization managed to bring in a small medical convoy into Gaza, the first in nearly four months, calling it "A drop in the ocean of needs."

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WAFA Agency

He insisted that "That trickle must become an ocean" and urged concrete measures for rapid, massive and safe delivery of aid across the entire territory.

The UN News report said Guterres repeatedly returned to the idea that war cannot be the solution, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for total, safe and durable humanitarian access.

In a separate UN-related development, WAFA reported that the Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, signed a commemorative board marking 80 Years of the Adoption of the United Nations Charter and inscribed the word “Hope.”

WAFA said the UN provided an opportunity for 195 states, including 193 member states, as well as the State of Palestine and the Vatican as observer states, to participate in signing the board.