Israel blocks visas for UN staff after secretary-general’s remarks

Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan on Tuesday called for UN Secretary-General António Guterres to resign after he criticized Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Guterres on Tuesday called for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid into Gaza. He condemned the attacks by Hamas terrorists that killed at least 1,400 people but also accused Israel of collectively punishing Palestinians. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen dismissed calls for a ceasefire and wrote on X that he would not meet with Guterres. UN representatives would be barred from visiting Israel as a result of Guterres’ comments, Erdan said on Israeli Army Radio.

How are humanitarian efforts being affected? The UN agency working in Gaza said its aid operations may halt on Wednesday due to a lack of fuel. Israel has not allowed fuel to enter the region with humanitarian supplies over concerns that Hamas terrorists could confiscate it. Israel has so far delayed a full-scale ground invasion to allow for the release of hostages and to allow in humanitarian aid.

Dig deeper: Listen to Myrna Brown’s report on The WORLD and Everything in It podcast about American assistance for Israel.