It has been revealed that the terrorists from Hamas who carried out the unexpected attack on October 7th, which led them to declare war on Israel, were under the influence of a potent and illicit synthetic stimulant.

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Israel has effectively stopped issuing visas to the officials of United Nations starting Wednesday (Oct 25), a day after the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres indicated that Hamas'&nbsp;assault on Israeli civilians on October 7 was prompted by Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, which Guterres earlier on October 25 said was 'misreported'.

"The attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. Palestinians have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. But their grievances cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. Those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinians," Guterres had said.

Later on October 25, Guterres clarified that his remarks were misrepresented.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: UN Chief, Antonio Guterres remarks sparks row

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"I am shocked by misrepresentations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council -- as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas," Guterres told reporters.

<h2>Uproar grows in Israel for Guterres to issue apology</h2>

Israeli officials have been railing against the UN chief and demands have erupted from inside Israel for an apology from the UN chief. The chairperson of Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem said that Guterres "failed the test" of the "Never again" call to prevent any event towards the extermination of Jewish population after the events of second world war.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-envoy-demands-immediate-resignation-of-un-chief-after-he-raises-concerns-over-violation-of-law-in-gaza-650832">Israeli envoy demands resignation of UN Chief over his ‘Hamas attacks not in a vacuum remark’</a>

Guterres’s comments drew widespread&nbsp;outrage in Israel.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan described them as "shocking" and demanded that the secretary general resign.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen reportedly&nbsp;cancelled a meeting with Guterres, and Minister Benny Gantz labeled the UN chief a "terror apologist."

The strongly worded reactions continued on Wednesday morning.

Israel's foreign ministry wrote on X, that Guterres’s remarks "provoke anger and astonishment and tarnish both him and the organization he heads," and reflect "a biased and distorted attitude towards Israel on the part of the UN and especially on the part of the Secretary-General himself."

"The UN Secretary-General must retract his words, engage in deep personal soul-searching and apologize for his statement, which distressed millions of Israelis who are still experiencing the consequences of the murderous terrorist attack of October 7," the ministry added.

<h2>Israel's new visa policy towards UN officials</h2>

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, in an interview with Army Radio, vowed to teach the UN a lesson with a punishing visa policy.

"Due to his remarks, we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives," Erdan said. "We have already refused a visa for Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. The time has come to teach them a lesson."

Israel has effectively stopped issuing visas to the officials of United Nations starting Wednesday (Oct 25), a day after the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres indicated that Hamas' assault on Israeli civilians on October 7 was prompted by Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, which Guterres earlier on October 25 said was 'misreported'.

Israel has effectively stopped issuing visas to the officials of United Nations starting Wednesday (Oct 25), a day after the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres indicated that Hamas' assault on Israeli civilians on October 7 was prompted by Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, which Guterres earlier on October 25 said was 'misreported'. "The attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. Palestinians have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. But their grievances cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. Those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinians," Guterres had said. Later on October 25, Guterres clarified that his remarks were misrepresented. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war: UN Chief, Antonio Guterres remarks sparks row × "I am shocked by misrepresentations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council -- as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas," Guterres told reporters. Uproar grows in Israel for Guterres to issue apology Israeli officials have been railing against the UN chief and demands have erupted from inside Israel for an apology from the UN chief. The chairperson of Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem said that Guterres "failed the test" of the "Never again" call to prevent any event towards the extermination of Jewish population after the events of second world war. Also read | Israeli envoy demands resignation of UN Chief over his ‘Hamas attacks not in a vacuum remark’ Guterres’s comments drew widespread outrage in Israel. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan described them as "shocking" and demanded that the secretary general resign. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen reportedly cancelled a meeting with Guterres, and Minister Benny Gantz labeled the UN chief a "terror apologist." The strongly worded reactions continued on Wednesday morning. Israel's foreign ministry wrote on X, that Guterres’s remarks "provoke anger and astonishment and tarnish both him and the organization he heads," and reflect "a biased and distorted attitude towards Israel on the part of the UN and especially on the part of the Secretary-General himself." "The UN Secretary-General must retract his words, engage in deep personal soul-searching and apologize for his statement, which distressed millions of Israelis who are still experiencing the consequences of the murderous terrorist attack of October 7," the ministry added. Israel's new visa policy towards UN officials Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, in an interview with Army Radio, vowed to teach the UN a lesson with a punishing visa policy. "Due to his remarks, we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives," Erdan said. "We have already refused a visa for Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. The time has come to teach them a lesson."

Israel stops UN staff visas after Antonio Guterres is branded 'terror apologist' for his Hamas remarks

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (Oct 25) expressed “shock” over the gross “misinterpretation” of his remarks made in the Security Council, after Israel perceived them to be justifying Hamas terrorist’s October 7 attack.

Israel was peeved with the UN secretary-general on Tuesday for saying that the deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel “did not happen in a vacuum”.

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan accused him of "justifying terrorism" and demanded his immediate resignation.

Briefing the reporters on Wednesday, Guterres, without mentioning Israel, said, “I am shocked by misinterpretations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council – as if it was justifying acts of terror by Hamas. This is false. It was the opposite.”

“In the beginning of my intervention yesterday, I clearly stated – and I quote: ‘I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel’.”

He clarified that his remarks in no way justified the assault by Hamas.

“Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.” &nbsp;

“I spoke of the grievances of the Palestinian people. In doing so, I clearly stated, and I quote: ‘But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas’.”

He said that he was clarifying his earlier remarks in order to “set the record straight”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-stops-un-staff-visas-after-antonio-guterres-branded-terror-apologist-over-controversial-hamas-remarks-651243">Israel stops UN staff visas after Antonio Guterres branded 'terror apologist' over controversial Hamas remarks</a>

“I believe it’s necessary to set the record straight – especially out of respect for the victims and their families.”

<h2>What did Guterres say that irked Israel?</h2>

On Tuesday, while addressing the Security Council in New York, the UN chief&nbsp;said that it was "important to "recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum" as the Palestinians have been "subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-envoy-demands-immediate-resignation-of-un-chief-after-he-raises-concerns-over-violation-of-law-in-gaza-650832">Israeli envoy demands resignation of UN Chief over his ‘Hamas attacks not in a vacuum remark’</a>

He further said that&nbsp;Israel’s bombardment and blockade of the&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip was the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people” and “clear violations of international humanitarian law”, infuriating not only Israel but also some Republican members.

<h2>Israel vows to punish UN with its visa policy&nbsp;</h2>

The remarks created furore in Israel, with&nbsp;Foreign Minister Eli Cohen cancelling&nbsp;a meeting with&nbsp;Guterres and&nbsp;Israel’s envoy to UN Gilad Erdan demanded his resignation, saying that the&nbsp;UN chief has "expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder."

Erdan even went a step further by threatening to refuse visas to the UN representatives.&nbsp;

"Due to his remarks we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives," Erdan said. "We have already refused a visa for Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. The time has come to teach them a lesson."

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (Oct 25) expressed “shock” over the gross “misinterpretation” of his remarks made in the Security Council, after Israel perceived them to be justifying Hamas terrorist’s October 7 attack.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (Oct 25) expressed “shock” over the gross “misinterpretation” of his remarks made in the Security Council, after Israel perceived them to be justifying Hamas terrorist’s October 7 attack. Israel was peeved with the UN secretary-general on Tuesday for saying that the deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel “did not happen in a vacuum”. Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan accused him of "justifying terrorism" and demanded his immediate resignation. Briefing the reporters on Wednesday, Guterres, without mentioning Israel, said, “I am shocked by misinterpretations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council – as if it was justifying acts of terror by Hamas. This is false. It was the opposite.” “In the beginning of my intervention yesterday, I clearly stated – and I quote: ‘I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel’.” He clarified that his remarks in no way justified the assault by Hamas. “Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.” “I spoke of the grievances of the Palestinian people. In doing so, I clearly stated, and I quote: ‘But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas’.” He said that he was clarifying his earlier remarks in order to “set the record straight”. Also read | Israel stops UN staff visas after Antonio Guterres branded 'terror apologist' over controversial Hamas remarks “I believe it’s necessary to set the record straight – especially out of respect for the victims and their families.” What did Guterres say that irked Israel? On Tuesday, while addressing the Security Council in New York, the UN chief said that it was "important to "recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum" as the Palestinians have been "subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation." Also read | Israeli envoy demands resignation of UN Chief over his ‘Hamas attacks not in a vacuum remark’ He further said that Israel’s bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip was the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people” and “clear violations of international humanitarian law”, infuriating not only Israel but also some Republican members. Israel vows to punish UN with its visa policy The remarks created furore in Israel, with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen cancelling a meeting with Guterres and Israel’s envoy to UN Gilad Erdan demanded his resignation, saying that the UN chief has "expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder." Erdan even went a step further by threatening to refuse visas to the UN representatives. "Due to his remarks we will refuse to issue visas to UN representatives," Erdan said. "We have already refused a visa for Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. The time has come to teach them a lesson."

‘Need to set the record straight’: UN chief clarifies his Hamas remarks that riled Israel

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday alleged violations of international law in Gaza and urged an immediate ceasefire as Israel pounds the Palestinian territory in response to Hamas attacks, with the crisis deeply dividing the Security Council.

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The Joe Biden administration in the United States is preparing for the possibility of carrying out a mass evacuation of hundreds of thousands of American citizens from the Middle East if the ongoing conflict in Gaza isn't contained, the Washington Post reported citing officials.

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Palestinian officials claim that over the course of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza overnight, approximately 700 Palestinians lost their lives. This is the biggest number of deaths in a single day since Israel started attacking the beleaguered enclave earlier this month.

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The unprecedented, audacious attack launched by Palestinian militant group Hamas on the 7th of October on Israel were described by Hezbollah as "a decisive response to Israel's continued occupation". Since then, deadly skirmishes have been witnessed on Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

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An Illinois man stabbed a 6-year-old Muslim boy to death. The shocking, harrowing attack in which the boy's mother was also grievously wounded took place on the 14th of October. Charged with hate crimes, the assailant, who also happens to be the family's landlord, targeted the Palestinian-American family for their Islamic faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. What compelled a man, hitherto friendly and loving to his targets, to commit an act of such monstrosity? Are government leaders and the media organizations biased towards Palestinians and responsible for fostering an atmosphere of hate not to be blamed? Would it not be a folly to view such bestial acts in isolation? Mohammed Saleh brings you the details

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