Miroslav Jenča, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, warned that Israel expanding Gaza operations would be “catastrophic”
A United Nations official has called Israel’s reported plans to consider the full occupation of Gaza “deeply alarming”, claiming such a move would be “catastrophic” to Palestinians.
Israel called a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday to demand the release of its hostages, after Hamas released videos showing two of its captives in emaciated states.
The majority of council members blamed Israel for the humanitarian crisis within Gaza, following a two-month blockade on humanitarian aid and hundreds of deaths around aid sites.
The meeting was called the same day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his security cabinet. Israeli reports claim Netanyahu is considering ordering the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.
Miroslav Jenča, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, warned that such a move would be “catastrophic” as he spoke to the UN Security Council.
“The latest reports regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s possible decision to expand Israel’s military operations through the entire Gaza Strip, if true, are deeply alarming,” he said.
“This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.”
Jenča also condemned Hamas’ video of two hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky, looking visibly emaciated.
“International law is clear. Hostage taking is prohibited. It is a war crime,” Jenka said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who flew to New York to attend the council meeting, showed photos of Evyatar David as he spoke, denying that Israel has been starving Gaza.
He said: “Israel facilitated huge amounts of aid into Gaza since the beginning of the war, in an unprecedented way in the history of wars.
“The quantities are growing every day, if you follow that. Yet it (Israel) is still accused of starvation.”
He accused Hamas of looting the food and other items and using them as “a financial tool” to sell and make money, although UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said there is no evidence of this.
The council also heard an address from hostage Evyatar David’s brother, Ilay, who warned that the hostages could only have “days left to live”.
Evyatar has been in captivity since October 7, 2023, after being abducted by Hamas during the Nova music festival in southern Israel.
He is one of 50 hostages, who Israel says are still being held in Gaza. This number includes 27 who are believed to be dead.
“We now know from medical reports and other indications that Evyatar, Guy, and the others are the brink of death,” said Ilay.
“They may only have days left to live, days. That is how urgent that is. They have each lost nearly half of their body weight. My little brother now weighs only around 40 kilograms. That’s just around 90 pounds.
“The very soul of humanity is being scarred by Hamas’ barbaric actions.
“We, the family of Evyatar, refuse to give up hope. We are weeping and suffering, but we are also fighting with every fibre of our being. We will not give up until we see him back home, until my mother and father can hug him again.”
The videos of the two hostages were released as international experts say a “worst-case scenario of famine” is unfolding in Gaza, where Israel’s offensive has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and made it nearly impossible to safely deliver food and other humanitarian aid.
Aid groups say Israel’s week-old measures to allow more aid in, including by aid drops, are far from sufficient.
United Nations’ Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour on Tuesday reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemning what he called an “Israeli war of massacres and starvation against the Palestinian people.”
“We reject all inhumane and degrading treatment against anyone, especially persons held in captivity,” Mansour said.
Mansour said he’s grateful to members of the security council who had advocated for an immediate and continuous ceasefire.
He said it would save lives, release hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and open the doors and crossings for humanitarian assistance.
“Stop the starvation of our people,” he urged. “It gives peace a possible chance. It gives all of us hope.”
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