Israeli initiative to govern Gaza poses a potential escalation, warns United Nations leader
In early August 2025, the Israeli government announced a plan to take operational control of Gaza City, marking an initial step towards seizing control over the entire Gaza Strip. The strategy involves placing Gaza City under siege, evacuating about a million residents into designated "humanitarian zones," and expanding points for distributing humanitarian aid [1][2].
The plan, however, has faced criticism and concern from multiple fronts. Israel’s own military expressed reservations, warning that taking full operational control could lead to heavy casualties among both soldiers and Gazan civilians and potentially benefit Hamas militarily [1]. Families of hostages have condemned the plan as a death sentence for their loved ones, given Hamas is believed to hold around 20 hostages still alive and bodies of 30 others [2].
Internationally, UN officials have strongly opposed the plan. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk declared that a complete Israeli military takeover of Gaza violates international law, referencing International Court of Justice rulings calling for an end to occupation and recognition of Palestinian self-determination. The UN warns such a takeover would further devastate Gaza, causing massive forced displacement, additional killing, destruction, and potential war crimes. The UN insists that Israel should instead focus on allowing unfettered humanitarian aid access and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages by Palestinian armed groups, alongside the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel [3].
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, described this decision as a "dangerous escalation." He reiterated his urgent appeal for a permanent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages [3].
However, the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, wrote a response to the UN chief, expressing outrage at his role as Secretary-General. Marmorstein accused the UN chief of not condemning Hamas for rejecting ceasefire proposals and for not addressing Hamas's use of goods transferred to Gaza to rebuild its war machine. Marmorstein also accused the UN, under the UN chief's leadership, of employing Hamas terrorists and using UN facilities to hold hostages [4].
The UN chief claimed his comments about the Israeli government’s decision were misinterpreted. The Israeli strike in Syria was not mentioned in the context of a violation of sovereignty [5].
In spite of the criticisms, Guterres asserted that there will be no sustainable solution to the conflict without an end to the unlawful occupation and the achievement of a viable two-state solution [6]. He also emphasised that Gaza is to remain an integral part of a Palestinian State [7].
The UN is set to appoint a UK envoy to review UNRWA, the UN agency responsible for aid to Palestinian refugees [8]. As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the international community continues to watch closely, with hopes for a peaceful resolution that respects international law and the rights of all parties involved.
References: [1] ABC News, "Israeli Cabinet Approves Plan to Take Control of Gaza," August 2, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Israel's Gaza Plan: A Humanitarian Disaster Waiting to Happen," August 5, 2025. [3] UN OCHA, "UN Officials Urge Israel to Halt Planned Military Takeover of Gaza," August 6, 2025. [4] The Jerusalem Post, "Israeli Foreign Ministry Slams UN Chief Over Gaza Comments," August 7, 2025. [5] Reuters, "UN Chief Clarifies Remarks on Israeli Strike in Syria," August 8, 2025. [6] UN News, "UN Chief Warns of Escalation in Gaza, Calls for Permanent Ceasefire," August 9, 2025. [7] Al Jazeera, "Guterres: Gaza Must Remain Part of Palestinian State," August 10, 2025. [8] The Times of Israel, "UN to Appoint UK Envoy to Review UNRWA," August 11, 2025.
- The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed concern over Israel's plan to take operational control of Gaza City, stating that such a move could lead to a violation of international law and further escalate war-and-conflicts in the region.
- As political tensions rise with the Israeli government's decision to take control of Gaza City, international news outlets are reporting extensively on this topic, along with related issues such as the distribution of humanitarian aid and the status of Palestinian refugees.
