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UN official says Israel expanding Gaza operations would risk 'catastrophic consequences' | UN official says Israel expanding Gaza operations would risk 'catastrophic consequences' |
(32 minutes later) | |
Watch: UN official says Netanyahu's reported Gaza expansion plans risk "catastrophic consequences" | Watch: UN official says Netanyahu's reported Gaza expansion plans risk "catastrophic consequences" |
A top UN official has warned there would be "catastrophic consequences" if Israel expands its military operations in Gaza, after reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for total reoccupation. | |
Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenča told the UN Security Council such a move would be "deeply alarming", and could endanger the lives of more Palestinians, as well as Israeli hostages held by Hamas. | |
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu plans to meet his security cabinet this week. | |
"The die has been cast. We're going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip - and defeating Hamas," a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying. | "The die has been cast. We're going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip - and defeating Hamas," a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying. |
The security cabinet, which is due to meet on Thursday, would need to approve such an action. | The security cabinet, which is due to meet on Thursday, would need to approve such an action. |
It has been suggested the plan could be a negotiating tactic to pressure Hamas after a recent breakdown of ceasefire talks, or an attempt to shore up support from Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners. | |
Asked whether he would support an Israeli plan to reoccupy all of Gaza, US President Donald Trump responded: "That's pretty much going to be up to Israel." | |
Israel has been facing mounting international pressure over the war in Gaza, where experts say famine is unfolding. | |
In his remarks, Jenča warned against any expansion of Israel's military operations. | In his remarks, Jenča warned against any expansion of Israel's military operations. |
"This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza," he said. | "This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza," he said. |
He added that under international law, Gaza "is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state". | He added that under international law, Gaza "is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state". |
Israel's military said it already had operational control of 75% of Gaza, but the new plan would reportedly propose occupying the entire region - including areas where more than two million Palestinians now live. | Israel's military said it already had operational control of 75% of Gaza, but the new plan would reportedly propose occupying the entire region - including areas where more than two million Palestinians now live. |
The proposals have proved divisive in Israel, with reports the army chief and other military leaders oppose the strategy. | |
The unnamed Israeli official responded by saying: "If that doesn't work for the chief of staff, he should resign." | |
The families of hostages have expressed their fear that such a decision could endanger their loved ones. | The families of hostages have expressed their fear that such a decision could endanger their loved ones. |
Israel says 49 hostages are still being held in Gaza, of whom 27 are believed to be dead. | Israel says 49 hostages are still being held in Gaza, of whom 27 are believed to be dead. |
Jenča reiterated to the UN Security Council the call for a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. | Jenča reiterated to the UN Security Council the call for a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. |
Citing the "squalid" and "inhumane" conditions faced by Palestinians, he urged Israel to immediately allow the unimpeded passage of sufficient aid. | Citing the "squalid" and "inhumane" conditions faced by Palestinians, he urged Israel to immediately allow the unimpeded passage of sufficient aid. |
"Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, and the aid that is permitted to enter is grossly inadequate," Jenča said. | "Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, and the aid that is permitted to enter is grossly inadequate," Jenča said. |
He also condemned the ongoing violence at food distribution sites, saying more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the end of May while trying to access food and supplies. | He also condemned the ongoing violence at food distribution sites, saying more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the end of May while trying to access food and supplies. |
Last week, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said 154 people including 89 children had died from a lack of food since October 2023. | Last week, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said 154 people including 89 children had died from a lack of food since October 2023. |
UN agencies have warned there is man-made, mass starvation in Gaza, and reported at least 63 malnutrition-related deaths this month. | UN agencies have warned there is man-made, mass starvation in Gaza, and reported at least 63 malnutrition-related deaths this month. |
Israel has previously insisted there are no restrictions on aid deliveries and that there is "no starvation" in Gaza. | Israel has previously insisted there are no restrictions on aid deliveries and that there is "no starvation" in Gaza. |
Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas's attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages. | Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas's attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages. |
More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign, according to the territory's health ministry. | More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign, according to the territory's health ministry. |