International community urges an immediate stop to Israel's planned military operation in Gaza City
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for a potential takeover of Gaza City, while ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones. However, this plan has faced strong opposition from the international community, particularly the United Nations (UN).
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has insisted that the complete military takeover of Gaza City "must be immediately halted," stating it contradicts international law and risks causing massive forced displacement, killing, and severe suffering for Gaza's civilians. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" that could worsen the humanitarian catastrophe and lead to more deaths and destruction.
Volker Turk emphasized that instead of intensifying the conflict, Israel should focus on ensuring "the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid" to Gaza and called for the immediate release of all hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, as well as Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. The international community is also condemning the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Within Israel, the military itself reportedly objects to the plan, warning that operational control of Gaza City could be disastrous, resulting in many deaths among both soldiers and civilians and playing into Hamas’s advantage.
Family members of hostages and other protesters have gathered to protest Israel's proposal to occupy all of Gaza, calling the move a "death sentence." The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters issued a statement to this effect. Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan Angrest, stated that an expansion of military operations is necessary to put a comprehensive deal on the table that will bring all hostages home.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Government's plan for a complete military takeover of Gaza is contrary to the realization of the agreed two-State solution and the right of Palestinians to self-determination. The Security Cabinet of Israel has approved the Prime Minister's proposal for the defeat of Hamas.
In a Fox News interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he does not want to "govern Gaza," but wants to "hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly without threatening Israel." The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, has stated that they are focused on freeing the hostages, including the remains of two Americans, and ensuring that Hamas never rules Gaza again.
However, Volker Turk stated that the Israeli Government's plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza strip runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice. He also stated that the expansion of the military operation will lead to "senseless destruction and atrocity crimes." Turk has urged Israel to allow the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza's civilians and to halt its plan to expand its military operation in Gaza. Bruce has also said that they are not in the business of interpreting statements from foreign governments regarding their potential plans.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with both sides urging for a peaceful resolution and the international community calling for the protection of civilian lives and the upholding of international law.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called for the immediate halt of the Israeli Defense Forces' potential takeover of Gaza City, stating it contradicts international law and risks causing massive forced displacement, killing, and severe suffering for Gaza's civilians. The international community, including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, is also condemning the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that instead of intensifying the conflict, Israel should focus on ensuring the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
