UN Chief Calls Lack of Accountability for UN Staff Killings in Gaza ‘Unacceptable’ – Reuters

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS – The lack of accountability for the deaths of United Nations personnel and humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip is "totally unacceptable," stated U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in an extensive interview.

Guterres also expressed that deploying a U.N. peacekeeping force is not the "best solution" for Haiti, where armed gangs have taken control of large areas, leading to a humanitarian crisis characterized by mass displacements, sexual violence, and widespread hunger.

With the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly approaching, Guterres characterized the past year as "very tough, very difficult." It has been heavily influenced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which erupted shortly after the previous assembly, initiated by attacks from Palestinian Hamas militants that resulted in significant casualties and hostages taken in Israel.

Commenting on Israel’s military response in Gaza—where health officials report approximately 41,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began—Guterres highlighted "very dramatic violations of international humanitarian law" and a failure to protect civilians effectively. "What’s happening in Gaza is totally unacceptable," he asserted.

The Israeli military claims to take precautions to minimize civilian harm and states that a significant portion of Palestinian fatalities comprises militants, a claim Hamas denies.

Nearly 300 humanitarian aid workers have died amid the conflict, with over two-thirds being U.N. staff. Guterres called for thorough investigations and accountability for these fatalities, criticizing the current state of judicial accountability: "We have courts, but we see that the decisions of courts are not respected, leading to a limbo of accountability that is totally unacceptable and requires serious reflection."

In July, the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for withdrawal. The U.N. General Assembly is expected to consider a resolution next week that would set a six-month deadline for Israel’s withdrawal.

Guterres mentioned he has not communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the violent attacks by Hamas on October 7 of the previous year. He noted that although Netanyahu has not responded to his calls, he would be open to meeting him again if requested during the upcoming assembly.

When asked about Netanyahu’s potential attendance at the assembly and a possible meeting, the Israeli U.N. Ambassador stated that the Prime Minister’s schedule remains unconfirmed.

STATE OF CHAOS

Guterres described the global situation as "chaotic" and expressed concern over the unresolved conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. He remarked on Western allegations that North Korea and Iran are supplying weapons to Russia, stating, "Any expansion of war in Ukraine is an absolutely dramatic development." Both Iran and North Korea have denied these accusations.

In Haiti, a U.N.-endorsed international force has faced delays and funding shortages since the country requested assistance in 2022. The U.S. is pushing the U.N. Security Council to transition this force into a peacekeeping operation.

"I don’t think peacekeeping is the best solution in a situation like this … peacekeeping means to maintain the peace, and that’s not exactly the situation we have in Haiti," Guterres explained. "I find it a scandal that it has been so difficult to mobilize funds for such a grave situation."

FACING THE FUTURE

As Guterres’ first five-year term overlapped with Donald Trump’s presidency, which saw funding cuts to the U.N., he is now considering the implications of a possible second Trump administration, as Trump is again the Republican nominee for president and is set to challenge Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election.

"We are ready to work under all circumstances in defense of the values of the U.N. charter," Guterres stated when queried about the U.N.’s plans for a potential second Trump administration.

During his earlier term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Accord aimed at climate change mitigation, and his campaign suggests a return to this stance if he wins in November. Guterres noted, "It will survive. But, of course, it will probably survive severely undermined," referring to the possible impact on climate action from another withdrawal.

He emphasized the significance of the U.S. role in discussions of women’s sexual and reproductive rights and health, especially in the context of ongoing debates surrounding abortion rights in the U.S. during this election cycle. Under Trump’s previous presidency, the U.S. opposed internationally recognized language on these issues in U.N. resolutions, citing concerns over supporting abortion rights, leading to funding cuts for the U.N. Population Fund, a decision the U.N. challenged as based on an inaccurate understanding.