World leaders issues Benjamin Netanyahu statement as he vows to take over Gaza City
Israel's plan to take over Gaza City has been internationally condemned today with the United Nations saying it would 'trigger another calamity' in the already-embattled region.
The UN Security Council held a rare emergency meeting after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military would 'take control' of the war-torn area. The UK, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia delivered a joint statement condemning Israel 's decision to expand operations in Gaza, and before the meeting called for the plan to be reversed.
'This plan risks violating international humanitarian law,' the European countries said. "The Security Council has consistently called for the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages. And we are clear that Hamas must disarm and play no future part in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.
'But this decision by the Israeli Government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risks further endangering their lives.'
The statement also called for Israel to lift restrictions on aid deliveries. Israel has maintained that there are no restrictions on aid into Gaza. Netanyahu said in a press conference that Israel had 'no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.'
'Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,' Netanyahu asserted.
He also pushed back against what he called a 'global campaign of lies' - and said Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, one of Israel's strongest backers, had 'buckled under' by announcing that Germany won't authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.
Netanyahu said there is a 'fairly short timetable' in mind for next steps in Gaza, but did not give specifics. The goals there, he said, include demilitarising the territory, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' and a non-Israeli civilian administration being in charge.
Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid. 'Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza,' he asserted, adding that Palestinians are 'begging' the world to be freed from them.
The prime minister, who has claimed that there is 'no starvation in Gaza,' did acknowledge hunger there, saying, 'there was a problem with deprivation, no question about it.' Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution sites, he said, but gave no details.
UN Assistant Secretary Miroslav Jenca told the security council meeting: 'If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction.'
He said the world was already 'witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe on an unimaginable scale,' and reiterated calls for a 'full and immediate ceasefire' as well as the release of all hostages. 'Palestinians have their right to have their voices heard,' Jenča said, adding the UN supports a two-state solution.
While Slovenia's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, speaking on behalf of the five European members of the Security Council ahead of the meeting, said: 'This decision by the Israeli government will do nothing to secure the return of the hostages and risk further endangering their lives.'
In a rare press conference with foreign journalists in Jerusalem, Netanyahu was in a bullish mood, insisting 'this is the best way to end the war, and end it speedily'. He rejected the idea of ever accepting a Palestinian State and accused European countries such as Britain and France of bowing to public pressure to recognise such a state.
Fu Cong, China 's ambassador to the UN, said the situation in Gaza 'continues to evolve into an even more dangerous direction'. He said the UNSC 'must firmly oppose any attempt to occupy Gaza' and condemned Israel's decision to renew its military offensive in Gaza City. 'Military means are not the way to solve this problem,' said Fu.
He also condemned Israel's 'collective punishment' of Gaza's population, and called for 'all' access points into Gaza to be opened in order for aid to be allowed in.
It came as family members of Israeli hostages taken on the October 7, 2023, today marched on Downing Street to urge the release of those being held by Hamas.
The 'national march for the hostages' in central London was organised by Stop the Hate UK and a number of Jewish organisations. It came after Sir Keir Starmer pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the conflict in Gaza.
Among those who attended was Noga Guttman, the cousin of 24-year-old Evyatar David, who was kidnapped. Hamas released a video last weekend which showed Mr David looking skeletal and hollow-eyed in a dimly lit Gaza tunnel.
Marchers included the relatives of Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival with his girlfriend Noa Argamani.
Mr Or's cousin Ariel Felber, from London, said: 'Keir Starmer has failed the hostages and their families by not making it a condition that all the remaining hostages are brought home to their loved ones before he can even entertain talk of state recognition of Palestine. He urgently needs to correct this.'
The UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis addressed the march close to Downing Street. He said: 'To our Government we turn and we say 'how would you ever be able to live with the fact that you would have recognised a Palestinian state, at the head of which is a terrorist organisation, with a stated intention of destroying the state of Israel and harming Jews right around the world and all this at a time when the hostages are still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza?'
'The Labour Party, both in opposition and now in Government has had a mantra, they have continuously been saying 'don't judge us by our words, judge us by our deeds'. And to our Government we say right now this is the time for responsible action, it is not too late.'
He added: 'We will continue to do whatever we can for the sake of each and every one of the hostages.'
Protesters on Saturday in support of hostages took to the streets of Jerusalem and marched towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence to voice their anger over his government's plan to fully occupy Gaza City.
Former soldier, Max Kresch, marched holding a sign that read 'I refused'. 'We're over 350 soldiers who served during the war and were refusing to continue to serve in Netanyahu's political war,' he said. Protests also took place across Israel in cities including Haifa and Tel Aviv.
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