New York — United Nations officials have issued a stark warning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to seize Gaza City risks triggering “another horrific chapter” in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The move, they cautioned, would likely deepen mass displacement, destroy what remains of civilian infrastructure, and push the enclave into total humanitarian collapse. With the war already claiming tens of thousands of Palestinian lives, critics say this strategy is less about security and more about cementing Israel’s decades-long occupation.
The proposed four-to-five-month military campaign, approved by Netanyahu’s security cabinet, is being promoted as a way to defeat Hamas and free hostages. Yet human rights groups and regional analysts argue that such rhetoric masks a long-standing policy of territorial domination. They say the plan is an aggressive escalation designed to impose permanent Israeli control over Palestinian land, further destabilizing the region.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the siege has already pushed Gaza’s population to the brink. More than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and more than 100 children have died from acute malnutrition, more than 39 of them in the past month alone. Aid organizations accuse Israel of deliberately blocking relief deliveries, forcing civilians to risk their lives at distribution points, and violating international humanitarian law in ways that amount to war crimes.
According to the BBC, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told the Security Council that further Israeli military action in Gaza City would risk “another horrific chapter” in the enclave’s history. He warned that such an escalation could lead to mass civilian casualties, intensify famine, and collapse essential services.
As Al Jazeera reported, Netanyahu’s plan has drawn sharp criticism from regional observers, who say the proposed plan is not about freeing hostages or improving security but about solidifying Israeli political control. They note that previous offensives have failed to produce long-term stability, instead devastating civilian life.
Anadolu News reported that humanitarian agencies are urging immediate international intervention to halt the operation. They argue that without swift action, the situation in Gaza will spiral into an even greater calamity, compounding the ongoing genocide of Palestinians and further eroding any prospects for peace.
