The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, dealt a blow to Israel after he refrained from condemning the Iranian attacks on Israel, preferring to focus on calling for an end to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Guterres said, "I condemn the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We urgently need a ceasefire."

He added, "I am deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon and call for an immediate ceasefire. All-out war in Lebanon must be avoided at all costs, and Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected."

Guterres' statements angered Israel's leaders, who accused him of ignoring their position and being stupid. His statements came after Israel went too far over the past year in committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip, the most recent of which was the escalation in Lebanon.