In his statement, Erdoğan explained that “the United Nations Security Council exists to discuss global issues and find solutions for them. The absence of the Palestinian delegation from the UN General Assembly pleases Israel.” He added that “it is impossible to silence the voice of Palestine, and it is not right to do so. What is required from America is to say enough to Israel’s massacres,” according to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
The Turkish president confirmed that “it is likely that the Palestinian issue will dominate the proceedings of the UN General Assembly, and some European countries are preparing to recognize the State of Palestine.” He pointed out that “Israel’s massacres will never be forgotten, and just parents will not forget how children, fathers, and mothers were slaughtered in Palestine.”
The UN Security Council discussed last Sunday the Israeli government’s decision to occupy the city of Gaza amid condemnations of what was described as the expected “humanitarian catastrophe.” The French envoy strongly condemned Israel’s decision to expand its military operations in Gaza, calling for it to “retract the occupation decision,” and demanding an “immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.”
He also emphasized the necessity of opening crossings to distribute humanitarian aid and called on the council to “support the two-state solution and recognize the Palestinian state.” In a joint statement, foreign ministers from Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia condemned Israel’s plan to control Gaza, warning that it “will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and threaten the lives of hostages.”
Meanwhile, Slovenia’s ambassador to the UN, Samuel Žbogar, warned that the Israeli decision “will not guarantee the return of hostages but may put their lives at greater risk,” adding that it “will worsen the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, with risks of death and mass displacement of civilians.” It was warned that the Israeli plan could cause a “new catastrophe,” according to Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča, who confirmed that implementing the plan will lead to “more forced displacement, killing, and destruction,” with implications extending beyond the sector.
Last Friday, the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to control the city of Gaza, just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to impose military control over the entire sector, despite the escalating wave of internal and external criticism of the war that has been ongoing for nearly two years on Palestinian territories.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier that Israel intends to impose its control over the entire Gaza Strip with the aim of establishing a security perimeter, then handing it over to a new “civilian government,” adding that the State of Israel does not intend to retain control over the sector, but the aim of the operation is to establish a “security perimeter.”
The Times of Israel confirmed, citing a statement issued by the office, the Israeli cabinet decision. According to the statement, Israel will provide humanitarian aid to civilians outside the combat areas. Additionally, the cabinet approved five demands to be presented in exchange for ending the conflict with the Palestinian Hamas movement.
