NEW YORK: The United Nations on Tuesday called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel’s military operations throughout the Gaza Strip “deeply alarming” if true.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza that such a move “would risk catastrophic consequences ... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.”
He continued: “International law is clear in the regard, Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state.”
He added that the UN had also been clear that there was only one path to ending the ongoing violence and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, through a full and permanent ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
“Life-saving humanitarian aid must flow into Gaza at scale and without obstruction, and civilians must be guaranteed safe, unhindered access to assistance. There is no military solution to the conflict in Gaza or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he said.
“We must establish political and security frameworks that can relieve the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, start early recovery and reconstruction, address the legitimate security concerns of Israelis and Palestinians, and secure an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation and achieve a sustainable two-State solution.
“Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States,” he added.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar also spoke ahead of the session to highlight the plight of Israeli hostages, during which he also said countries that had announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in recent weeks had sabotaged a ceasefire deal with the Hamas terror group.
Britain, France, Canada, and several other countries said they would recognize a Palestinian state in September, some of them unconditionally and some depending on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“There are countries that acted, also in this building, to pressure Israel instead of Hamas during sensitive days in the negotiations by attacking Israel, campaigning against Israel, and the announcement of a recognition of a virtual Palestinian state,” he said.
“They gave Hamas free gifts and incentives to continue this war, they directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire.
“Let me be clear, these countries prolonged the war. Hamas is responsible for beginning this war by invading Israel and committing the Oct. 7 atrocities.
“Hamas is also responsible for the continuation of this war by still refusing to release our hostages and lay down its arms. The international pressure must be on Hamas. Anything else only prolongs the war,” he added.
