Netanyahu defends Gaza plan as Israel is heavily criticised by UN Security Council

**Israel Condemned by UN for Gaza City Plan**

The United Nations has strongly criticized Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City, with many ambassadors calling it a violation of international humanitarian law. The plan is aimed at ending the conflict, but critics say it will only make things worse.

**Netanyahu’s Claims Denied**

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the planned offensive will be quick and effective in “freeing” Gaza from Hamas. However, he also claimed that Israel is starving Gazans, which was strongly denied by UN officials. The UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia were among those who criticized Israel’s plan at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

**UN Condemns Collective Punishment**

China called the collective punishing of Gazans unacceptable, while Russia warned of a reckless intensity of hostilities. UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said that implementing the plan would likely trigger a new calamity, causing further forced relocation, killings, and destruction.

**Hunger Crisis**

Ramesh Rajasingham from the UN’s humanitarian office said that the hunger crisis is no longer imminent in Gaza, but rather a result of Israel’s actions. He described it as starvation, pure and simple. The United States defended Israel, with Ambassador Dorothy Shea saying that the war could end today if Hamas released the hostages.

**Protests in Israel**

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Israel to oppose the government’s plan, citing fears for the lives of hostages. Netanyahu said that the Israel Defense Forces had been ordered to dismantle two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and an area centrally around al-Mawasi.

**Increased Aid**

Netanyahu outlined three steps to increase aid in Gaza, including designating safe channels for humanitarian aid distribution and increasing airdrops by Israeli forces and partners. He also mentioned an increase in the number of safe distribution centers managed by the US-Israeli Gazan Humanitarian Foundation, which has been criticized for its role in the conflict.

**Death Toll**

Since Saturday, 5 people have died in Gaza as a result of malnutrition and starvation, bringing the death toll to 217. The Hamas health ministry reported that Israel’s military operation has resulted in the deaths of more than 61,000 individuals since 2023.