The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, said on Friday that Israel’s plan for a full military takeover of Gaza will cause more deaths and suffering and must be stopped immediately.
The plan runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-state solution and the right of Palestinians to self-determination, Turk said in a statement.
Cabinet Approval
Israel’s political-security cabinet approved a plan early on Friday to take control of Gaza City, as the country expands its military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating, almost two-year-old war.
Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of his vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages.
The 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.
“The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, referring to the Israeli Defence Forces.
Gaza Takeover Plan
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel intended to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip.
“On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes,” Turk said.
“Instead of intensifying this war, the Israeli Government should put all its efforts into saving the lives of Gaza’s civilians by allowing the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid. The hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released by Palestinian armed groups.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
