Guterres: Palestinians going through ‘darkest chapters’ in their history

The Palestinian people are going through one of “the darkest chapters” of their history, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement published for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Guterres said “I am horrified by the death and destruction that have engulfed the region, which is overwhelmed with pain, anguish and heartache,” adding that October 7 attack “cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

He expressed his sincere condolences to the thousands of families who are grieving for their loved ones. This includes members of the United Nations family killed in Gaza, which considered as the largest loss of staff in the Organisation’s history.