TRANSCRIPT
“If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacements, killings and destruction, compounding the unbearable suffering of the population.”
This is Miroslav Jenča [[YEN-chuh]], Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday ((August 11)).
Called in response to the Israeli Security Cabinet's approval of plans to take control of Gaza City, the meeting brought forward urgent calls for Israel to reverse the decision.
Mr Jenča says the military takeover of Gaza City would ignite another horrific chapter in the conflict.
"This is yet another dangerous escalation of the conflict...According to Israeli media reports, the government foresees the displacement of all civilians from Gaza City by 7th October 2025, affecting some 800,000 people, many of them previously displaced.”
In Friday's decision (August 08), Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Prime Minister Netanyahu’s proposed plan in a majority vote, and endorsed five principles it says will end the war.
These principles include the disarmament of Hamas, the release of all hostages, the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control over the Strip, and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
The Prime Minister’s office also announced the IDF would take control of Gaza City, while providing humanitarian assistance outside combat zones.
Head of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Ramesh Rajasingham, says if implemented, the plan will worsen an already dire situation.
"I'm extremely concerned of the prolonged conflict, the reports of atrocities and further human toll that is likely to unfold following the government of Israel's decision to expand military operations in Gaza. This marks a grave escalation in the conflict that has already inflicted unimaginable suffering. Now, for over 670 days, Palestinians in Gaza have endured daily killings and injuries."
Ahead of the emergency UN meeting, the five European Union Security Council members issued a statement condemning Israel's decision to expand military operations in Gaza.
Speaking for the group, which includes the United Kingdom, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and Greece, Slovenia's UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar says the plan risks violating international humanitarian law, and endangers the lives of all civilians in Gaza.
"And we are clear that Hamas must disarm and play no future role, no future part in the governance of Gaza where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role... But this decision by the Israeli government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages, and risks further endangering their lives. It will also worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza."
China's representative to the U-N, Fu Cong, has similarly condemned Israel's planned military expansion at the emergency meeting.
"We must firmly oppose any attempt to occupy Gaza. The recent approval by Israel's security cabinet, of a plan to take over Gaza, is a measure of grave concern for China. We urge Israel to stop this dangerous move at once."
Despite the urgent calls for Israel to reverse the decision to take control of Gaza City, the IDF has said it is fully mobilized and preparing for the military operation.
While it's unclear when the Israeli offensive is to take place, Prime Minister Neyanyahu says the IDF is ready for a fast takeover of Gaza City .
“I am determined to end the war with our victory. And precisely because I am aware of the great effort of the reservists, I seek to end the war as quickly as possible. Therefore, I have instructed the IDF to reduce the timetable for taking control of Gaza City.”
The Israeli leader has defended the expanded military operation, saying it's the only option to defeat Hamas, reiterating Israel has no plans to permanently occupy Gaza.
While the escalation has drawn widespread condemnation, including from Australia, its a move which the United States representative to the UN Dorothea Shea says is justified.
"The government of Israel did not make its decision to advance its military campaign in a vacuum, but after months of Hamas' intransigence. Hamas refuses to accept a ceasefire and continues to torture the hostages."
The United Kingdom's representative to the UN James Kariuki, meanwhile, says there is no justification for the suffering that has already been caused in Gaza, and that it will only get worse with escalation.
"In Gaza, children and babies are suffering from starvation. Hundreds of civilians have been killed trying to access basic food supplies. This inhumanity cannot be justified. The partial aid access Israel granted in late July has proven woefully inadequate. We have a clear message for Israel. Urgently and permanently lift all restrictions on aid delivery."
According to Gaza health officials, five more people, including two children, have died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, taking the number of deaths from starvation to 217.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are alive.
Israel's offensive since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians.
Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour says while he's thankful for the acknowledgment of the suffering in Gaza from Security Council members, words are not enough to stop the harm that continues to unfold.
"We appreciate the description of almost all of you, of the deepness of the pain and tragedy our people are enduring. While this is okay, it is not sufficient. You have to act. You have do something about it. You have stop it. Otherwise, this analysis and description does not mean anything."
