United Nations: It’s essential to work towards a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict as the international community addresses the reality of starvation on the ground in Gaza, the Security Council heard on Sunday. Two top UN officials warned that the Israeli cabinet’s recent approval for a new offensive aimed at gaining total military control of Gaza City could spark “another horrific chapter” of displacement, death, and destruction. Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, informed ambassadors that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for “defeating Hamas” and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration could lead to “yet another dangerous escalation” destabilizing the region.
According to EMM, Israeli media reports suggest that the plan involves displacing all civilians from Gaza City by 7 October, affecting approximately 800,000 people, many of whom are previously displaced. Jenca emphasized that there is no military solution to end the conflict and highlighted the importance of planning for Gaza’s future amidst the urgent developments on the ground. He called for political and security frameworks to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and initiate recovery and reconstruction efforts addressing the concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians, in alignment with the two-State solution.
“Critically, these frameworks must facilitate a legitimate Palestinian Government that can reunify Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, politically, economically, and administratively," he added. Jenca urged the Palestinian Authority to pursue its goal of holding elections to achieve this end.
Senior humanitarian affairs official Ramesh Rajasingham reported to ambassadors that hunger-related deaths are rising ahead of any new mass-displacement policy for Gaza City. “Whatever lifelines remain are collapsing under the weight of sustained hostilities, forced displacement, and insufficient levels of life-saving aid,” he stated.
Rajasingham pointed out that local authorities have documented the deaths of 98 children from severe acute malnutrition, with 37 occurring since 1 July. “This is no longer a looming hunger crisis - this is starvation, pure and simple,” he declared. The head of the humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) in Geneva expressed deep concern over the “prolonged conflict and further human toll that is likely to unfold following the Government of Israel’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza.”
“This marks a grave escalation in a conflict that has already inflicted unimaginable suffering,” he stated. Rajasingham also noted a “grim milestone” in the humanitarian community, with over 500 humanitarian workers killed in Gaza since hostilities escalated, including at least 167 women. He highlighted ongoing smear campaigns against aid operations and stressed the need for the protection of all aid workers as World Humanitarian Day approaches.
Rajasingham called on states and those with influence to act decisively to end the ongoing suffering and protect civilians and hostages. He urged Israel to agree to and facilitate humanitarian relief operations into and within the Gaza Strip to reach those in need. The International Court of Justice’s provisional measures concerning the Genocide Convention in Gaza remain in place, demanding immediate and effective measures from Israel to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
