United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated there was something "fundamentally wrong" with how "Israel" has conducted its war on the Gaza Strip, citing a disregard for civilian life and widespread destruction.

"I think there was something fundamentally wrong in the way this operation was conducted with total neglect in relation to the deaths of civilians and to the destruction of Gaza," Guterres told Reuters at the Reuters Next conference in New York.

Referring to the declared objective of eliminating the Palestinian Resistance, Guterres said, "The objective was to destroy Hamas. Gaza is destroyed, but Hamas is not yet destroyed. So there is something fundamentally wrong with the way this is conducted."

Read more: Guterres urges urgent funding as UNRWA faces collapse in Gaza

Civilian casualties and possible war crimes

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 70,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli aggression campaign on the Strip on October 7, 2023.

Asked whether war crimes had been committed during the war on Gaza, Guterres responded, "There are strong reasons to believe that that possibility might be a reality."

Despite a truce declared on October 10, "Israel" has continued its bombardment and demolition operations, claiming to target Hamas infrastructure. 

UN struggles to deliver aid in Gaza

Guterres commended the United States for helping facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite the operational challenges.

"There is an excellent cooperation in the humanitarian aid between the UN and the US, and I hope that this will be maintained and developed," he said.

However, Palestinians have called US aid distribution centers death traps, as the real aim behind these sites is to dismantle UNRWA and target the hungry people of Gaza.

The United Nations has repeatedly reported serious obstacles in delivering and distributing aid in Gaza, blaming the difficulties on "Israel" and the deteriorating security environment.

Read more: UN expert: 60+ companies support 'Israel's' settlements, Gaza genocide

On the Ukraine war

Turning to the Ukraine war, Guterres said peace negotiations remain stalled and reaffirmed that any resolution must respect international law and state sovereignty.

"Is it going to be so? Probably not," he said. "I believe we are still far from a solution."

Guterres emphasized the global implications of undermining international law. "The violation of these rules is extremely dangerous because everywhere in the world, people will feel that they can do whatever they want because international law doesn't matter anymore."

The war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022 following Moscow's response to years of foreign-backed pressure through Kiev, igniting the most serious confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. The United States continues to seek a diplomatic end to the conflict.

UN's stance on US cuts, Trump administration

Asked about US President Donald Trump’s stance toward the UN, Guterres avoided direct criticism. “Do not make any concession that puts into question the fidelity of the values we defend, but not to engage in polemics that serve no purpose.”

“I'm not interested in having any polemic with the US administration. I'm interested in preserving the values of UN and preserving the values in which I believe we can build a world that is more fair, in which international law is respected, and in which the huge inequalities that exist can be overcome,” he added.

Despite the reduction in US funding, Guterres said it offered an opportunity to push for internal reforms at the United Nations. However, he acknowledged the severe humanitarian consequences.

“A reduction of the levels of humanitarian aid that is provided, as we are witnessing now, makes many people die,” he warned.