The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed "grave concern regarding the Israeli government's decision to take control of the city of Gaza."
A statement issued by the spokesperson for the Secretary-General noted that this decision represents a serious escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, potentially putting more lives at risk.
The statement warned that Palestinians in Gaza continue to endure a humanitarian disaster of horrific dimensions, cautioning that this "additional escalation will lead to further forced displacement, killing, and massive destruction, compounding the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza."
The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent call for a permanent ceasefire, ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees.
He once again strongly urged the Government of Israel to adhere to its obligations under international law, reminding that the International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion issued on July 19, 2024, declared, among other things, that the State of Israel is obligated to immediately cease all new settlement activities, evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory, and end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territory—which includes Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem—as soon as possible.
The UN statement emphasized that there will be no sustainable solution to this conflict without ending this illegal occupation and achieving a viable two-state solution. It stated that "Gaza has been and must remain an integral part of a Palestinian state."
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Guterres expresses his concern over the decision to occupy Gaza.