– Gaza is a never-ending nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it. “You don’t have to look any further than Lebanon,” Guterres said at the opening of the main debate at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
– We must all be concerned about the escalation. Lebanon is on the brink. He continued that the people of Lebanon, the people of Israel and the people of the world cannot bear for Lebanon to become a new Gaza.
Guterres' opening speech was marked by war, with references to Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan and other ongoing conflicts.
– Nothing can justify the heinous terrorist acts committed by Hamas on October 7, or the hostage-taking, which I have condemned on several occasions. He added that nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon called Guterres' remarks “the opening salvo in the annual display of hypocrisy.”
– It is sad that when Guterres speaks about the release of hostages, the General Assembly remains silent, but when he speaks about the suffering in Gaza, he is received with thunderous applause, he said.
US President Joe Biden will also address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, calling on parties in the Middle East to enter into a ceasefire.
– Innocent victims in Gaza are living in hell now, the president says.
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