In a briefing today, Antonio Guterres repeated a direct quote he had given during his comments on Tuesday, when he had said "the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas".

He said his previous remarks had referred to "all aspects of the Middle East crisis" - adding that he was "shocked by the misinterpretations" of his words.

These misrepresentations of his statement, he said, had made it seem "as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas".

"This is false. It was the opposite," he said.

"I believe it was necessary to set the record straight especially out of respect for the victims and their families."

Israel warns Lebanon and Syria of 'damning strikes' - live updates

Speaking at a UN meeting in New York on Tuesday, Mr Guterres had said it was important to recognise that "the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum" - with Palestinians having been "subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation".

He also claimed there had been "clear violations of international humanitarian law" committed by Israel in the aftermath, with continued airstrikes over the Gaza Strip and a decision by Israel to cut off power and water to the area.

The comments drew anger from Israel, with the country's UN ambassador Gilad Erdan saying it amounted to "a justification for terrorism and murder" - and demanding Mr Guterres resigned.

British immigration minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News that the UK government did not believe Israel had broken international law in its retaliation for Hamas's attacks on 7 October, adding: "There is a clear right in international law for a nation to defend itself, and that is what Israel is doing."

But his position appeared to grow stronger over the course of his morning interviews, with Mr Jenrick later telling ITV: "No one, whether deliberately or otherwise, should be implying there is any justification for [Hamas's attacks].

"In that sense, I think he was wrong. I hope that isn't what he meant but, if it is, then he should retract that."

Mr Jenrick said it was "not for me to say" whether the UN chief should step down over the comments.

But he added: "I do think it is important we are all very clear that there is no justification for what happened, there is no context that is relevant."

Critics of Israel's actions say cutting off power and water to Gaza amounts to collective punishment, which is illegal under international law, because it directly affects civilians.

The prohibition of collective punishment in international humanitarian law dates back to the Hague Convention (II) of 1899.

That states "[n]o general penalty, pecuniary or otherwise, can be inflicted upon the population on account of the acts of individuals for which they cannot be regarded as jointly and severally responsible."

The Fourth Geneva Convention - which has been adopted by countries including Israel, the UK and the US - features a similar but more specific prohibition,

That says "[n]o protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited."

At least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October - with at least 704 on Tuesday alone - Gaza's health ministry says.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, officials there have said.