Netanyahu Defends Gaza City Plan Amid Urgent UN Warnings of Starvation and Catastrophe

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staunchly defending his controversial plan to seize control of Gaza City, even as senior United Nations officials issue dire warnings that the move risks unleashing “another calamity” on a territory already grappling with widespread “starvation, pure and simple.” The plan, recently approved by the security cabinet, has drawn condemnation both domestically and internationally.

During an emergency UN Security Council session held over the weekend, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca cautioned that implementing the plan could trigger further displacement, killings, and destruction, exacerbating the 22-month conflict. Ramesh Rajasingham, Ocha’s coordination director, underscored the severity of the humanitarian situation, stating, “This is no longer a looming hunger crisis – this is starvation, pure and simple.”

The humanitarian toll continues to mount, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting five more deaths, including two children, from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total child deaths from such causes to 100 and the overall malnutrition death toll to 217. Additionally, at least 26 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in Gaza just hours before Netanyahu’s press conference, with the UN reporting over 1,370 aid-seeking deaths since May 27.

Netanyahu dismissed accusations of a “starvation policy” despite Israel’s blockade, attributing hunger issues to distribution problems and accusing media of exaggerating the crisis. He asserted that the Gaza City takeover is “the best way to end the war speedily,” despite strong criticism from hostage families and a growing rift with IDF leadership. The plan, however, has not faced opposition from the US, Israel’s key ally, whose envoy to the UN, Dorothy Shea, defended Israel’s right to decide its security measures.

Conversely, Britain warned that the plan risks prolonging the conflict and deepening suffering, while Algeria and Palestine called for sanctions against Israel. With an estimated 61,000 Palestinian deaths reported by Gaza’s health ministry since the offensive began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, the international community remains deeply divided on the path forward for the devastated region.

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