A senior United Nations official has warned of "catastrophic consequences" if Israel expands military operations in the Gaza Strip, following reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a full reoccupation of the territory.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča told the Security Council that such a move would be "deeply concerning" and could endanger the lives of more Palestinians, as well as Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israeli media reports that Netanyahu will hold a meeting with his security cabinet this week to discuss the plan, which aims to "completely occupy the Gaza Strip and defeat Hamas," according to a senior Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The security cabinet, which is expected to meet on Thursday, must approve such a move. Some have interpreted the plan as a negotiating tactic to pressure Hamas after the recent failure of ceasefire talks, or as an attempt to shore up support from Netanyahu's far-right allies.
Meanwhile, international pressure on Israel is mounting, as experts warn of a mass man-made famine in Gaza. Jenča stressed that any further military expansion “would endanger millions of Palestinians” and the hostages still being held in Gaza.
He also underlined that, under international law, Gaza "is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state."
Israel has said it currently controls 75% of Gaza, but the new plan would involve occupying the entire territory, including areas where more than two million Palestinians live. The proposal has caused division within Israel, with reports that the army chief of staff and some military leaders oppose the strategy.
An anonymous Israeli official responded: “If this doesn’t suit the chief of staff, let him resign.”
Families of the hostages have expressed fears that such a decision could put the lives of their loved ones at risk. Currently, Israel says 49 hostages are still being held in Gaza, 27 of whom are believed to be dead.
Jenča again called on the Security Council for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. Describing the conditions as “miserable” and “inhumane,” he urged Israel to allow the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid. “Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza, and what is allowed in is woefully inadequate,” he said.
Jenča also condemned the ongoing violence at food distribution points, saying that over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the end of May while trying to secure food and aid.
The Gaza Health Ministry said last week that 154 people – including 89 children – have died of starvation since October 2023. UN agencies have warned of a man-made famine and have reported at least 63 malnutrition-related deaths this month alone.
Meanwhile, Israel has denied the allegations and said there are no restrictions on aid entering Gaza and that "there is no hunger."
Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 in southern Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed so far in the Israeli military campaign./BBC
