A United Nations spokesperson said on Friday (August 8) that any decision that expanded Israel's military operations in Gaza was "deeply alarming," after Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, Reuters reports.
Asked to react to the plan, spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci said it would risk "catastrophic consequences" for millions of Palestinians and further endanger the lives of remaining Israeli hostages.
She quoted a statement by the U.N.'s human rights chief Volker Turk, saying the war should end immediately, Israel should allow full access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and Palestinian armed groups should release Israeli hostages.
Israel's decision came after multiple failed attempts to mediate a ceasefire and amid a rising international outcry over images of starving Palestinian children underlining a deepening humanitarian disaster in the shattered enclave.
Israel's plan to intensify operations in Gaza is "a wrong move," Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp said on Friday (August 8).
"The plan of the Netanyahu government to intensify Israeli operations in Gaza is a wrong move. The (Gaza) humanitarian situation is catastrophic and demands immediate improvement. This decision in no way contributes to this and will also not help to get the hostages home," Veldkamp said in a statement on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday (August 8) that Israel must reconsider its plan to take control of Gaza City.
"The Israeli government's decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered," she wrote on X.
Israel's decision came after multiple failed attempts to mediate a ceasefire and amid a rising international outcry over images of starving Palestinian children underlining a deepening humanitarian disaster in the shattered enclave.
