Guterres warns of the devastating consequences of Israel expanding its operations in the city of Gaza.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, warned of the devastating consequences of the occupying state's decision to expand its military operations in the city of Gaza. This came in his statements ahead of a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where he indicated that these steps herald a new and dangerous phase in the conflict.

Guterres added that the expansion of military operations will force hundreds of thousands of civilians, who are already suffering from trauma, to flee once again, putting families at greater risk. He emphasized the need to protect civilians and provide them with basic necessities.

Guterres addressed the Israeli bombing of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, noting that civilians, including journalists and healthcare workers, are being killed while performing their duties under the eyes of the world.

He also reaffirmed the occupying state's obligations as an occupying power, stressing the necessity of ensuring the provision of food, water, and medicine, receiving humanitarian aid, and protecting civilian infrastructure.

Guterres pointed out that the occupying state is not cooperating with United Nations relief workers, as 366 UN staff members have been killed by the occupying army in Gaza, hindering relief efforts.

On August 8, the Israeli government approved a plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip, starting from the city of Gaza, which escalates tensions in the region.

Since October 7, 2023, the occupying state has committed genocide in Gaza, resulting in 62,895 martyrs and 158,927 injured, reflecting the scale of the humanitarian disaster.

Guterres highlighted the situation in the occupied West Bank, emphasizing that military operations and settler violence lead to displacement and deepen vulnerabilities.

He clarified that the approval of a plan to build thousands of settlement units in the 'E-1' area poses an existential threat to the two-state solution.

In parallel with the aggression in Gaza, the Israeli army and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, where at least 1,016 Palestinians have been killed and about 7,000 others injured.