AA / new York / Şerife Çetin
The UN Secretary general, António Guterres, warned the Israel project to widen his military operations in Gaza, believing that such an escalation would inevitably lead to more civilian and destruction.
His deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, spoke on Monday on the subject at the UN daily press briefing.
He stressed that the secretary general firmly opposes any intensification of hostilities, warning that this would only worsen the humanitarian situation already dramatic in the enclave.
“The secretary general considers that in this critical period, the urgency is to put an immediate end to violence – and not to increase human losses and destruction,” said Haq.
Haq also recalled the position of António Guterres, according to which Gaza constitutes an integral part of a future Palestinian state and must remain so, thus reaffirming the position of the UN in favor of a solution to two states.
“The Secretary-General considers that the Israel project to expand its military operations in Gaza is alarming,” he added.
HAQ also stressed that the Secretary General continues his calls for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza, adding that he also claims the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli security firm unanimously approved a plan aimed at intensifying its ongoing military offensive against the Gaza Strip and occupying new territories in the enclave.
In a statement, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s office said the cabinet had validated the “operational plan” presented by the chief of staff Eyal Zamir, in order to “defeat Hamas” and allow the return of Israeli captives to Gaza.
This plan provides for the conquest of Gaza by the Israeli army, which would then maintain its control over the occupied areas.
The Israeli channel Channel 12 reported that the plan also includes the forced displacement of Palestinians from north to south of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army resumed its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, since then killing some 2,500 people and injuring more than 6,500 others, despite a cease-fire and prisoner exchange in force in January.
Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest terms against Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in the Gaza Strip.
Israel is also prosecuted for “crime of genocide” before the International Court of Justice (CIJ) because of the war he waged against the Palestinian enclave.
* Translated from Turkish by Ayse Betul Akcesme
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