Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans for Gaza City are met with fierce criticism from global leaders while he counters claims of humanitarian crises and aims to secure Israeli hostages.
Netanyahu Faces International Backlash Over Gaza Control Plans at UN Security Council
Netanyahu Faces International Backlash Over Gaza Control Plans at UN Security Council
Israeli leader defends military strategy amidst accusations of violating humanitarian laws.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire at the UN Security Council for his stated intention to "take control" of Gaza City, a move he claims is necessary to end the ongoing conflict with Hamas. During a press conference designed to counter what he described as "lies," Netanyahu asserted that the military plans would swiftly "free Gaza from Hamas" and claimed that Israeli hostages were facing deliberate starvation. He denied allegations that Israel was inflicting starvation on the Palestinian population.
The emergency UN meeting highlighted growing concerns from multiple nations including the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia. They warned that the proposed actions could breach international humanitarian law, jeopardizing the lives of hostages while exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Chinese representatives specifically condemned the notion of collective punishment, while Russia cautioned against escalating violence.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca expressed alarm over the potential consequences of the Israeli plans, predicting further displacement and destruction. However, the United States defended Israel's right to act, with Ambassador Dorothy Shea claiming ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and criticizing other nations for using the meeting to accuse Israel of genocide, an assertion she refuted.
Protests erupted across Israel, with citizens expressing concern that Netanyahu's military actions might place hostages at further risk. The Prime Minister's strategy involves instructing the Israel Defense Forces to dismantle remaining Hamas positions in Gaza City while outlining a three-step plan to facilitate humanitarian aid through designated corridors.
Despite heightened tensions, Netanyahu dismissed claims of media bias, suggesting that international coverage relies on Hamas's narratives. He also responded to rising reports of malnutrition and starvation-related deaths within Gaza, attributing violence at aid distribution sites to Hamas interference.
As the conflict escalates following the deadly Hamas-led attack on October 7, the humanitarian implications of Netanyahu's plans are causing fissures both domestically and internationally, casting a shadow over the possibility of peace in the region.
