UN Warnings Against Expanding Military Operations in Gaza
August 29, 2025117 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
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The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned that Israel's decision to expand its military operations in the city of Gaza could lead to "devastating consequences," at a time when assaults on civilians and vital infrastructure in the besieged territory continue. Guterres' warnings came ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council, where he highlighted the unprecedented deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Guterres expressed his deep concern regarding Israel's initial steps towards seizing the city of Gaza, considering them a sign of a "new and dangerous phase." He confirmed that the expansion of military operations would force hundreds of thousands of civilians - who are already suffering from exhaustion and trauma - to flee once again, exposing them to greater risks.
The Secretary-General stated that Israel, as an occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, including providing food, water, medicine, and other basic needs, facilitating access to humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. However, he noted that Israel is not cooperating sufficiently with UN relief workers, as 366 UN personnel have been killed by the Israeli occupation army in Gaza.
Guterres affirmed that targeting hospitals and health infrastructure is a blatant violation of international law, specifically mentioning the Israeli bombing of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis earlier this week. He explained that civilians, including journalists and healthcare workers, are being killed while performing their duties "in front of the world's eyes."
Guterres did not limit his remarks to Gaza but also addressed the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, warning that "military operations, settler violence, demolitions, and discriminatory policies lead to displacement and deepen vulnerability factors." He expressed concern over Israel's recent approval to build thousands of settlement units in the "E-1" area, considering it would divide the West Bank and pose an existential threat to the two-state solution.
This escalation follows the Israeli government's approval on August 8 of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to gradually reoccupy the Gaza Strip entirely. Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has witnessed intense military operations resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs and injured, most of whom are children and women, in addition to widespread famine and the disappearance of thousands of people.
These developments illustrate the complexity of the political and security landscape in the region, as international pressure on Israel to halt its military operations increases, while the latter continues to ignore orders from the International Court of Justice to stop the war. The collective international responsibility, led by the Security Council, remains to take urgent action to put an end to this humanitarian catastrophe that threatens the stability of the entire region.
Guterres expressed his deep concern regarding Israel's initial steps towards seizing the city of Gaza, considering them a sign of a "new and dangerous phase." He confirmed that the expansion of military operations would force hundreds of thousands of civilians - who are already suffering from exhaustion and trauma - to flee once again, exposing them to greater risks.
The Secretary-General stated that Israel, as an occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, including providing food, water, medicine, and other basic needs, facilitating access to humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. However, he noted that Israel is not cooperating sufficiently with UN relief workers, as 366 UN personnel have been killed by the Israeli occupation army in Gaza.
Guterres affirmed that targeting hospitals and health infrastructure is a blatant violation of international law, specifically mentioning the Israeli bombing of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis earlier this week. He explained that civilians, including journalists and healthcare workers, are being killed while performing their duties "in front of the world's eyes."
Guterres did not limit his remarks to Gaza but also addressed the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, warning that "military operations, settler violence, demolitions, and discriminatory policies lead to displacement and deepen vulnerability factors." He expressed concern over Israel's recent approval to build thousands of settlement units in the "E-1" area, considering it would divide the West Bank and pose an existential threat to the two-state solution.
This escalation follows the Israeli government's approval on August 8 of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to gradually reoccupy the Gaza Strip entirely. Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has witnessed intense military operations resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs and injured, most of whom are children and women, in addition to widespread famine and the disappearance of thousands of people.
These developments illustrate the complexity of the political and security landscape in the region, as international pressure on Israel to halt its military operations increases, while the latter continues to ignore orders from the International Court of Justice to stop the war. The collective international responsibility, led by the Security Council, remains to take urgent action to put an end to this humanitarian catastrophe that threatens the stability of the entire region.
