Members of the United Nations Security Council — notably the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia — have rejected Israel’s plan to expand its operations in Gaza.
This position was conveyed in a video released by the countries and seen by our correspondents on Sunday. This development follows Israel’s earlier declaration of its intent to take control of Gaza and establish a new government.
They said, “We, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, and Greece, call for this urgent security meeting over the situation in Gaza. We condemn the government of Israel’s decision to further expand its operations in Gaza. This plan risks violating the international humanitarian law. We call on Israel to urgently reverse this decision and not implement it.
“Expanding military operations will only endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages. This will lead to unnecessary suffering.
“The suffering of the remaining hostages and their families must end. The security council has consistently called for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages and we are clear that Hamas must play no future role or tasks in the governance of Gaza but the Palestinian government must have a centre role.
“That this decision of the Israeli authorities can do nothing to secure the release of the hostages and it risks further endangering their lives. It would also worsen the already worsened humanitarian catastrophic situation in Gaza.
“This would lead to further death and mass displacement of Palestinian civilians, already famine is unfolding in Gaza, children are dying of starvation. The desperate civilians are taking the risks of being killed at aid distribution sites in order to feed.
“This is a man-made crisis and as such urgent action is needed to be taken to surge aid.”
“We have a clear message for Israel; lift restrictions on aid, allow the United Nations and established aid partners to operate safely with humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence,” they said.
Earlier, it was reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s plan to take control of Gaza, emphasizing that the goal is to remove Hamas from power rather than to permanently occupy the territory.
In his address on the ongoing conflict — which has faced widespread condemnation — Netanyahu accused Hamas of remaining a serious threat to Israel.
“The truth is Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza, in order not to repeat the savagery of the October 7 massacre and to do so again and again,” Netanyahu said in the address monitored by our newsmen.
He alleged that Hamas is oppressing the people of Gaza and obstructing their movement to safety.
“It openly professes its goals to destroy the state of Israel, it subjugates Gazans, steals their food and shoots them when they try to move to safe zones,” he said.
It is instructive to say many Gazans are fighting back, they are begging us, they are begging the world, free us and free Gazans from Hamas. No nation can accept a genocidal terrorist organisation. An organisation committed to its alienation, a stone throw from its citizens.”
Netanyahu maintained that Israel’s military action has a clear endgame.