UN chief ‘appalled’ by attacks, abductions of Israelis by Hamas in massive assault
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Hamas’s surprise attack on southern and central Israel this morning.
“The secretary-general is appalled by reports that civilians have been attacked and abducted from their own homes,” says a statement from his spokesperson.
Guterres “is deeply concerned for the civilian population and urges maximum restraint. Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times.”
“The secretary-general urges all diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration,” the statement continues. “He stresses that violence cannot provide a solution to the conflict, and that only through negotiation leading to a two-state solution can peace be achieved.”
