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United Nations

International Community Condemns Israeli Plan to Take Control of Gaza City, Fears "Humanitarian Catastrophe of Potentially Monumental Proportions"

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The international community is sounding the alarm as the Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, with warnings of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis marked by hunger, deprivation, and the risk of forced starvation. The United Nations (UN) secretary general, Antonio Guterres, and the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, have condemned the move, calling it a "dangerous escalation" that risks deepening the catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians. The UN is urging Israel to abide by international law and recall the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, which declared Israel must cease new settlement activities, evacuate settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and end its unlawful presence there.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, sparking widespread international condemnation.
  • The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has warned that the decision marks a "dangerous escalation" and risks deepening the catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians.
  • The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, has called for an immediate halt to the complete military takeover of Gaza, citing international law and the International Court of Justice's ruling.
  • The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that starvation and malnutrition are at their highest levels in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023.
  • The ministry of health in Gaza has reported five deaths in the past 24 hours due to malnutrition and starvation, bringing the total to 227, including 103 children, since October 2023.
  • Humanitarian supplies entering Gaza remain far below what is needed, with the UN facing significant delays and impediments in delivering aid.
  • The Israeli authorities have been accused of drawing out the clearance process, wasting precious time and disrupting humanitarian efforts.

Statistics:

  • 227 deaths in Gaza due to malnutrition and starvation since October 2023, including 103 children.
  • Starvation and malnutrition levels are at their highest in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023.
  • 16 humanitarian missions were requested by the UN on Monday, with four facilitated, three denied, and four impeded but completed.
  • Efforts to coordinate humanitarian movements have been delayed by hours, wasting precious time and disrupting aid delivery.

Sources:

  • Justicia Shipena Namibia
  • Penda Naanda, Executive Director, Ministry of International Relations, Namibia
  • Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
  • Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Stephane Dujarric, UN Spokesman
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • Ministry of Health, Gaza
  • United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

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