Pakistan: Israel’s recent decision to assume control over Gaza City has drawn sharp warnings from the United Nations, as officials caution that this move could spark a severe escalation in the ongoing conflict. During an emergency session of the Security Council, a senior UN official emphasized that the takeover could uproot one million residents and worsen the already dire humanitarian conditions in the region.
According to EMM, Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, highlighted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy for addressing the conflict includes the disarmament of Hamas, the release of hostages, and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. Israel also plans to establish security control and form a civilian administration in Gaza, distinct from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. The Israel Defense Forces are preparing to take control of Gaza City while ensuring humanitarian aid reaches areas outside combat zones.
Jenca expressed concern, stating that Israel intends to displace all civilians from Gaza City by October 2025, affecting approximately 800,000 people. He added that the Israel Defense Forces plan to surround the city for three months, followed by efforts to seize central Gaza’s camps and remove Palestinian armed groups. The UN is prepared to respond to the humanitarian needs, but stresses the necessity for humanitarian partners to deliver essential services on the ground.
In discussions following Jenca’s briefing, delegates from various countries condemned Israel’s plan. Algeria’s representative criticized the displacement of Gaza’s population and full military control as destructive, while the United Kingdom’s delegate noted that the expansion of military operations would likely lead to increased bloodshed. Russia and other nations echoed these sentiments, urging Israel to reconsider its approach and highlighting the potential for further destabilization.
Denmark’s delegate highlighted the famine-like conditions in the Gaza Strip and called for investigations into incidents involving civilian casualties. France urged Israel to allow UN and humanitarian organizations to operate freely, as Greece reiterated that any annexation of Gaza would violate international law. The urgent need for a ceasefire was emphasized by China and other representatives, pointing to the humanitarian toll on civilians caught in the conflict.
Several delegates called for deploying an international protection force to safeguard the impacted population. Pakistan’s representative accused Israel of pursuing ethnic cleansing, while Kuwait underscored the necessity for binding measures under the UN Charter to halt aggression.
The United States’ delegate focused on blaming Hamas for rejecting ceasefire proposals, asserting Israel’s right to ensure its security. Meanwhile, Israel’s delegate emphasized that their objective is not conquest but liberation from a terror regime, urging the Council to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
The intense debate reflects deep divisions within the international community on how to address the conflict, with numerous voices calling for urgent action to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.