The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting this Saturday to address the situation in the Middle East, following the announcement by the Israeli government that it will take full control of the city of Gaza.
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The session will start at 3:00 p.m. New York local time, according to the organization’s official agenda.
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The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, warned that the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand the offensive in the Strip and occupy the city of Gaza “marks a dangerous escalation” that will “further endanger” civilians, including the hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023.
Guterres, through his deputy spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay, expressed his “deep alarm” at the measure and warned that it could worsen “the already catastrophic consequences” for millions of Palestinians. He recalled that Gaza is facing “a humanitarian catastrophe of terrifying proportions” and warned that the new offensive will cause more forced displacements, deaths, and massive destruction, causing “unimaginable suffering” to the population.
The UN chief reiterated his call for a ceasefire and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, and urged Israel to comply with International Humanitarian Law. Additionally, he emphasized that the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must “end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories—Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem—as soon as possible.”
“There will be no sustainable solution to this conflict without an end to the illegal occupation and a viable two-state solution. Gaza is and must remain an integral part of a Palestinian state,” he concluded.