International body urges halt to Israel's impending military action in Gaza City
The Israeli Prime Minister's office has approved a plan for the defeat of Hamas, and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is preparing for the takeover of Gaza City. However, this decision has sparked strong condemnation from the international community, with the United Nations (UN) urging Israel to halt the operation immediately.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has been vocal in his opposition to the military takeover. He has called for it to be immediately halted, emphasising that it contradicts a ruling from the International Court of Justice which calls for an end to the occupation and a two-State solution granting Palestinians self-determination. Türk warns that escalating the conflict will cause "more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction, and atrocity crimes."
Similarly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed grave concern, describing the takeover as "a dangerous escalation" that risks exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation for millions in Gaza. He urges Israel to comply with its international legal obligations.
The UN's primary responses call for an immediate halt to Israel's plan, emphasise the urgent need for humanitarian aid access, demand the release of hostages and detainees, and stress adherence to international law to prevent further humanitarian disaster.
Türk has also called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages by Palestinian armed groups and the immediate and unconditional release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters issued a statement, calling the Israeli Government's plan for a military takeover of Gaza a "death sentence" for the remaining hostages.
An Israeli official told ABC News that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to expand the military operation in Gaza on the grounds that Hamas is not interested in reaching a new ceasefire deal under which surviving hostages could be released.
However, Hamas has responded to Netanyahu's statements, saying they represent a reversal of the negotiation process and expose the real motives behind his withdrawal from the latest round of talks. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with Türk urging Israelis and Palestinians to be allowed to live side by side in peace, with the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the IDF has assured that they will ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones. The U.S. State Department, while not interpreting statements from foreign governments, has reiterated its focus on freeing the hostages, including the remains of two Americans, and ensuring that Hamas never rules Gaza again.
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the international community remains united in its call for peace and an end to the suffering of civilians.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, asserts that the military takeover contradicts a ruling from the International Court of Justice, calling for an end to the occupation and a two-State solution granting Palestinians self-determination. The UN's primary responses also demand the immediate and unconditional release of hostages by Palestinian armed groups and the immediate and unconditional release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.
