Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gilad Erdan called on the organization's secretary general to resign immediately, calling him unsuitable to lead the UN.
"The UN Secretary-General, who shows understanding for the campaign of mass murder of children, women, and the elderly, is not fit to lead the UN. I call on him to resign immediately," the ambassador posted on social media.
The diplomat went on to say that there is no valid reason or purpose in engaging with those who exhibit empathy for "the most terrible atrocities committed against" Israeli citizens and the Jewish community.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen cancelled his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stressing that there is no place for "a balanced approach" in the region after Hamas attacked Israel.
Earlier, Guterres said that the Hamas attack did not take place "in a vacuum" as the Palestinians have been facing occupation for 56 years.
"I will not meet with the UN secretary-general. After October 7 there is no room for a balanced approach. Hamas must be wiped off the face of the earth!" Cohen wrote on X.
Erdan criticized Guterres's statements, arguing that the Secretary-General is out of touch with the reality in the region and views the situation "in a distorted and immoral manner."
"His statement that, 'the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum,' expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder. It’s really unfathomable. It’s truly sad that the head of an organization that arose after the Holocaust holds such horrible views. A tragedy!" he said.
On October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket assault from the Gaza Strip as part of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation announced by Hamas. Following the rocket attacks, the organization's militants breached the southern border areas of Israel. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Within days following the attack, the Israeli military took control of all settlements near the Gaza border and initiated retaliatory airstrikes. Israel also declared a complete blockade of the region, suspending the supply of water, food, electricity, medicines, and fuel.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip exceeded 5,000 people, with over 15,000 injured. In Israel, according to local authorities, more than 1,400 people died. The Russian Embassy said that during the escalation of the conflict, 20 Russians were killed, two were taken hostage, and seven were listed as missing. According to various sources, about 150 Israelis may be held captive by Hamas. The movement itself stated that there are about 200–250 hostages in the Gaza Strip.