UN Officials Warn of Severe Risks if Israel Expands Gaza Military Operations

Thu Oct 23 2025 14:57:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Top UN authorities express deep concern over potential Israeli military plans in Gaza amid rising humanitarian crises and calls for ceasefire.

Miroslav Jenča, a senior UN official, cautions that an escalation of military efforts by Israel in Gaza could lead to severe consequences for Palestinians and the safety of hostages. Discussions around reoccupying the Gaza Strip have sparked significant debate within Israeli security circles.

UN officials have raised alarms regarding the potential expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza, stating it could lead to "catastrophic consequences" for civilians. These concerns emerged following reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is advocating for a full reoccupation of the region as tensions continue between Israel and Hamas.

Miroslav Jenča, the UN Assistant Secretary General, emphasized at a UN Security Council meeting that such a military escalation could significantly endanger millions of Palestinians, as well as the Israeli hostages currently held by Hamas. This warning comes alongside planned discussions by Netanyahu's security cabinet, set for later this week, concerning the future of Gaza military strategies.

Reportedly, a senior Israeli official declared, "The die has been cast. We're going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip - and defeating Hamas." This declaration reflects the complexities within Israeli political and military spheres, where some military leaders reportedly oppose the proposed plans, viewing them as likely to worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Concerns continue to mount regarding the humanitarian crisis, as images and documentation reveal widespread starvation and malnutrition among Gaza's Palestinian population, now exceeding two million. Jenča expressed the need for immediate ceasefire talks and emphasized that Gaza "is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state," underlining the broader implications of Israel's military strategy.

Calls for the unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid have also intensified, as Jenča condemned the inadequate aid currently reaching the war-torn area and highlighted the extreme conditions faced by civilians—over 1,200 Palestinians have died seeking food and supplies since late May, reflecting the severe toll of ongoing hostilities.

Last week, data from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported over 60,000 deaths linked to Israel's military campaign since its escalation, alongside growing warnings from UN agencies about an imminent humanitarian disaster in the region.

Israel asserts that there are no limitations on aid deliveries and contests allegations of starvation in Gaza. The conflict intensified following a devastating attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, wherein around 1,200 individuals were killed, and hostages were taken into Gaza. The dynamics of this ongoing conflict continue to present severe challenges for peaceful resolutions.