Spikes against Israel regarding very large number of civilians who have been killed in the Gaza Strip, the Secretary-General of the United Nations left Antonio Guterres pointing out that something is wrong with Israeli military operations in the region.

“There are violations by Hamas when it uses human shields”said Guterres characteristically to the Reuters news agency. “But when you look at the number of civilians killed by military operations, there is something clearly wrong” he added.

Guterres pointed out that 92 UN staff members have also been killedduring the Israel-Hamas conflict.

For the release of the hostages

The Secretary-General of the United Nations also underlined that the United Nations is involved in talks with the aim of securing the release of more than 200 hostages.

“We have an obligation to do everything possible to achieve the release of the hostages,” he told Reuters.

“We don’t have leverage against Hamas for this, but there are some countries that have leverage.” he stressed, adding that Qatar is “extremely positive” and the UN is in close contact with him.

“Egypt has been very active. Others do their best. We are also in contact with the Israeli authorities. It is absolutely essential that all hostages be released immediately and unconditionally.” he added.

Guterres also pointed out that it does not help Israel that the world public opinion sees the daily “terrible picture” of the humanitarian drama that the Palestinian people live.

He noted that 630 humanitarian aid trucks had passed through Gaza in the past 18 days – compared to 500 a day before the war broke out – and that “intense negotiations” were underway to ensure effective aid delivery, but so far aid had been ” too little, too late.”