Amb. Danon to UN Sec. Gen: 'You had the audacity to condemn death of a Hamas kidnapper'

Israel's UN envoy slams Guterres for 'moral failure' over condemnation of terrorist's death

Guterres' statement 'rewards terror' and gives Hamas a 'green light to continue abducting Israelis'

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has slammed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for condemning the death of a Hamas terrorist who was killed during an Israeli counterterrorism operation in the Gaza Strip.

In a strongly worded letter to Guterres, Danon accused the UN chief of a "moral failure" and of "rewarding terror" by condemning the death of the terrorist, who was identified as a senior Hamas operative.

Danon said that Guterres' statement "gives Hamas a green light to continue abducting Israelis and holding them hostage." He also accused Guterres of ignoring the plight of the Israeli civilians who have been kidnapped by Hamas.

"Your statement is a disgrace and a betrayal of the victims of Hamas terror," Danon wrote. "You have failed to show any compassion for the innocent Israelis who have been kidnapped and held captive by Hamas."

Danon's letter comes after Guterres issued a statement on Monday in which he condemned the death of the Hamas terrorist. Guterres said that the terrorist's death was "a violation of international law" and called for an investigation into the incident.

The Israeli government has rejected Guterres' call for an investigation, saying that the terrorist was killed in a legitimate counterterrorism operation. The government also said that Guterres' statement was biased and ignored the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organization that has repeatedly targeted Israeli civilians.