Gaza(The COW News Digital)The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued one of his strongest condemnations yet of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, saying there are credible grounds to believe that Israeli forces committed war crimes during their operations against Hamas. Speaking in an interview with international media, Guterres said the scale of destruction, the targeting of densely populated civilian areas, and the disregard for humanitarian consequences raise serious legal and moral concerns.
Guterres stated that Israel’s offensive, launched with the stated objective of dismantling Hamas, has resulted in the near-total devastation of Gaza. Civilian neighbourhoods, health facilities, schools, and basic infrastructure have been shattered, leaving millions without access to essential services. He warned that such destruction cannot be excused as collateral damage, particularly when the civilian cost has been systematic and overwhelming.
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According to the Secretary-General, there is mounting evidence that civilians were deliberately targeted or insufficiently protected, which could constitute violations of international humanitarian law. “The nature and scale of the casualties in Gaza, and the repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure, indicate severe flaws in the conduct of Israeli military operations,” Guterres said. He added that the humanitarian consequences have been consistently overlooked, despite repeated warnings from aid agencies and observers on the ground.
Guterres emphasized that the UN has gathered information indicating possible war crimes, and that accountability mechanisms must be activated to investigate those responsible, regardless of political sensitivities. He argued that ensuring justice is necessary not only for victims, but also for the credibility of international law.
The UN chief also acknowledged Hamas’ violations, including indiscriminate attacks against Israeli civilians, but reiterated that abuses by one party do not justify violations by another. He said that the laws of war impose strict obligations on state actors, particularly when controlling advanced military capabilities.
Human rights organizations have long argued that Israel’s operations rely on disproportionate force, systematically endangering civilians. Israel denies accusations of war crimes, saying its military targets militants and infrastructure, and that Hamas embeds itself among civilians to shield its fighters.
Guterres warned that unless the international community addresses the root causes of the conflict and applies consistent legal standards, Gaza will continue to suffer repeated cycles of violence. “Peace cannot be built upon shattered communities and unanswered injustice,” he said.
