Washington – The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres condemned Israel's operation on Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

“As the occupying power, it has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence,” he said in a press conference from New York.

“Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians,” Guterres said, adding that Israel stopped humanitarian workers and medical workers from reach the injured, as well as disrupting water and electricity services.

“I again call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, including the obligation to exercise restraint and to use only proportionate force,” Guterres said, adding, “The use of airstrikes is inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations.”

While he said he understood Israel's "legitimate concerns" about security, he said an operation of this nature will only deepen "the cycle of violence."

He called on Israel to "abide by its obligations under international law,” he said. “The use of airstrikes is inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations,” he said.

Twelve Palestinians were killed and over 200 were injured in the 48-hour operation.