Portrait of António Guterres
Politician · organisation
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António Guterres on Hamas

Unequivocal condemnation (strong)

TL;DR

António Guterres unequivocally condemned the atrocious October 7 terror attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel.

Key Points

  • He unequivocally condemned the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas in Israel as horrifying and unprecedented.

  • He consistently calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas and other militants.

  • The Secretary-General marked the anniversary of the attack by urging the global community to repeat its 'utter condemnation' of the abhorrent acts. [2024-10]

Summary

António Guterres has been clear in his stance, having unequivocally condemned the horrific and unprecedented 7 October terror acts by Hamas in Israel, stating that nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring, or kidnapping of civilians, nor the launching of rockets against civilian targets. He consistently demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages taken by the group. Furthermore, the Secretary-General stressed that the grievances of the Palestinian people, including decades of occupation, cannot justify the appalling attacks carried out by Hamas, emphasizing that such actions cannot equate to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

He has also called for an end to the violence, often linking the situation to the need for a permanent ceasefire and full humanitarian access to Gaza, noting that ceasefires work for hostage release and aid distribution. While focusing condemnation on the October 7 attacks, he recognizes the wider context, including the obligations of the occupying power under international law and the need for a two-State solution to ensure peace and dignity for all in the region.

Key Quotes

Above all, we know ceasefires work.

Frequently Asked Questions

António Guterres's position is one of strong and unequivocal condemnation of Hamas for its terror attacks on October 7. He demands the immediate release of all hostages and stresses that no grievances can justify such deliberate targeting of civilians.

His core stance—condemning the terror attacks and hostage-taking—appears consistent since the event occurred in October 2023. He continues to advocate for a ceasefire and humanitarian access in the aftermath.

He stated that the 7 October acts of terror by Hamas were horrifying and unprecedented, and that nothing justifies the deliberate killing or kidnapping of civilians. He also noted that these attacks did not occur in a vacuum, while separating the grievances of Palestinians from the actions of the militant group.