Guterres says Hamas 'scarred souls,' refers to 'profound human suffering'

(JNS) — In a statement marking the one-year anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack in southern Israel, António Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, referred to the terror group’s “abhorrent” acts and said that the ensuing war “continues to shatter lives and inflict profound human suffering for Palestinians in Gaza, and now the people of Lebanon.”

“The Oct. 7 attack scarred souls, and on this day we remember all those who were brutally killed and suffered unspeakable violence, including sexual violence, as they were simply living their lives,” Guterres stated.

“This is a day for the global community to repeat in the loudest voice our utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of Hamas, including the taking of hostages,” he added, noting that he has met with families of hostages and “shared in their anguish and pain.”

“I cannot imagine the torture they are forced to endure every day. I demand once again the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” Guterres said. “Until then, Hamas must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit those hostages.” (The secretary-general said the same thing about the Red Cross earlier in the week.)

Guterres also stated that the war “that has followed the terrible attacks of one year ago continues to shatter lives and inflict profound human suffering for Palestinians in Gaza, and now the people of Lebanon.”

“I have spoken out about this often and clearly,” he stated. “It is time for the release of the hostages. Time to silence the guns. Time to stop the suffering that has engulfed the region. Time for peace, international law and justice.”