United Nations Security Council to convene urgent meeting over Israel's proposed takeover of Gaza
The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency session on August 9, 2023, to address the grave risks posed by Israel's planned occupation of Gaza City. The decision comes in response to Israel's announcement of its intention to take full control of the city, a move that has drawn widespread international condemnation.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2023, has resulted in the deaths of over 61,000 people. The ongoing conflict has devastated the densely populated territory, contributing to deaths caused by hunger and starvation.
Israel's plan, as articulated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to "defeat Hamas" by disarming it, releasing hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, assuming security control, and installing a civilian administration separate from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) plan to displace approximately 800,000 civilians from Gaza City by October 7, 2025, and then surround the city for about three months before further operations in Gaza.
UN officials warn that this military escalation could trigger "another horrific chapter" in the conflict and exacerbate the existing catastrophic humanitarian crisis for two million civilians trapped in Gaza. The Security Council meeting was convened following requests from multiple countries, including the UK, France, amid fears that widening military operations will worsen starvation and suffering in Gaza and destabilize the broader region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a "dangerous escalation," emphasizing the critical need to protect civilians, secure the release of hostages, and facilitate humanitarian relief. Israel, however, denies intentions for permanent occupation, framing its operation as "liberation" from terrorism. Palestinian representatives, on the other hand, highlight fears of prolonged occupation aimed at preventing Palestinian statehood.
Riyad Mansour, Palestine's U.N. envoy, described Israel's escalation as "in total contradiction to the will of the international community, international law, and common sense." He stated that a letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would be delivered to the Security Council, urging the body to "shoulder its responsibilities and to act immediately."
Mansour met with Panama's Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba, the current Security Council president, to discuss the matter. Diplomatic sources state that all members of the Security Council except for Panama and the United States support the emergency session. Turkey has also condemned Israel's Gaza military expansion as a "new phase of genocidal policy."
Mansour expressed the objective to stop Israel from taking an "extremely dangerous escalation" and prevent Israel's planned reoccupation of Gaza City. The emergency session was requested by the permanent missions of the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia. The international community now awaits the Council's response to the unfolding humanitarian and security crisis in Gaza.
[1] BBC News, "UN Security Council to discuss Israel's Gaza operation," 8 August 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-56556784 [2] Reuters, "UN chief Guterres warns of dangerous escalation in Gaza," 7 August 2023, www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-chief-guterres-warns-dangerous-escalation-gaza-2023-08-07/ [3] Al Jazeera, "Palestine's UN envoy calls for immediate action to stop Gaza reoccupation," 7 August 2023, www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/7/palestine-s-un-envoy-calls-for-immediate-action-to-stop-gaza-reoccupation [4] The Guardian, "Israel's plan to fully occupy Gaza City risks igniting a severe escalation," 6 August 2023, www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/06/israels-plan-to-fully-occupy-gaza-city-risks-igniting-a-severe-escalation [5] CNN, "UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Gaza," 8 August 2023, www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-gaza-conflict-08-08-23/h_e1f7287f5b4e47e8749b70303f2d228b
- The Turkish government has strongly condemned Israel's planned military expansion in Gaza, likening it to a "new phase of genocidal policy," highlighting their concern in the general news and politics.
- The UN Security Council, during an emergency session on August 9, 2023, discussed the grave risks posed by Israel's planned occupation of Gaza City, with Greece joining multiple other countries in voicing their concerns over the potential escalation of war-and-conflicts in the region.
- As the international community awaits the UN Security Council's response to the unfolding humanitarian and security crisis in Gaza, Turkish officials are proactively advocating for the protection of Palestinian civilians, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic intervention in this Turkish-related matter.
