United Nations ambassadors have sharply criticised Israel’s plans to seize control of Gaza City, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the move was the best way to bring the ongoing war to an end.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, which he said was aimed at “puncturing lies,” Netanyahu defended the planned offensive, describing it as a swift operation that would “free Gaza from Hamas.” He also claimed that Israeli hostages held in Gaza were the only people being deliberately starved, rejecting accusations that Israel was depriving Gazans of food.
The plan drew strong backlash during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, with the United Kingdom, France and other member states warning that such an operation could breach international humanitarian law. Denmark, Greece and Slovenia joined in the condemnation, urging Israel to abandon the proposal.
The envoys argued that the offensive would do little to secure the release of hostages and could further endanger their lives. Several countries also stressed that escalating military action risked worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.