UN Warns of ‘Another Calamity’ as Israel Plans to Take Control of Gaza City

A United Nations official has raised serious concerns about Israel’s plans to take control of Gaza City, warning that it could lead to a new wave of suffering and destruction in the region. The warning came during an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on Sunday, called after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government approved a military plan to "take control" of the city.

Miroslav Jenca, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, told the council that if these plans go ahead, they could cause “another calamity” in Gaza, with more displacement, deaths, and damage spreading throughout the region.

Britain, a close ally of Israel, also spoke at the meeting. The British deputy ambassador to the UN, James Kariuki, warned that Israel’s plan would only prolong the conflict and increase the suffering of Palestinian civilians. “This is not a path to resolution. It is a path to more bloodshed,” he said.

Despite the criticism, Netanyahu insisted that Israel’s goal was not to occupy Gaza permanently. He said the military operation would be relatively short because Israel wants to end the war as quickly as possible.

Outside the UN headquarters in New York, a small group of protesters gathered to call for peace, while a heavy police presence kept watch.

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour condemned Israel’s actions, saying they go against the wishes of the international community.

The United States, a key supporter of Israel and permanent member of the Security Council, is expected to protect Israel from any UN punishment over the issue.

Before the meeting, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said the country would continue fighting to free all hostages and ensure the safety of its citizens.