UN chief warns to "prevent ethnic cleansing" of Israeli attack on Gaza

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the international community to act to prevent Israel's attack on northern Gaza, saying the purpose of the attack could be "ethnic cleansing."

In an interview with the Guardian, a British daily, in Cali, Colombia, where the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity (COP16) was held, Guterres said Israel's intention to attack northern Gaza "may be for Palestinians to leave Gaza and for others to occupy it."

"We will do everything possible to help Palestinians remain in Gaza and prevent ethnic cleansing," Guterres said, stressing that "without strong international determination, ethnic cleansing can take place."

The "ethnic cleansing" mentioned by President Guterres means humanity's worst crime, genocide, which means extermination of certain groups.

Some in the international community, including the Islamic world, have condemned Israel for committing genocide as the war in Gaza intensifies.