NNA – Following are the UN Secretary-Generalrsquo;s remarks at press encounter on the situation in the Middle East
ldquo;I am shocked by the misinterpretations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council ndash; as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas.
This is false.nbsp; It was the opposite.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;
In the beginning of my intervention yesterday, I clearly stated ndash; and I quote:
ldquo;I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel.nbsp;nbsp;
Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians ndash; or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.rdquo;nbsp;nbsp;
Indeed, I spoke of the grievances of the Palestinian people and in doing so, I also clearly stated, and I quote:
ldquo;But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas.rdquo;
And then I went on with my intervention referring to all my positions on all aspects of the Middle East crisis.
I believe I was necessary to set the record straight ndash; especially out of respect to the victims and to their families.
Thank you.rdquo; (UNIC)
nbsp;
nbsp;
nbsp;
===============