UN Secretary-General Expresses Grave Alarm Over Israeli Government’s Decision to Take Control of Gaza City

New york: The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed grave alarm at the decision of the Israeli Government to "take control of Gaza City". He stressed that the decision represents a dangerous escalation, one that risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and further endangering countless lives. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, in a statement, Stephanie Tremblay, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said: 'Palestinians in Gaza continue to endure a humanitarian catastrophe of horrific proportions. The Secretary-General warns that this further escalation will result in additional forced displacement, killings and massive destruction, compounding the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza.' The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent appeal for a permanent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza, and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and detainees. He once again strongly urged the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law. He recalled that the International Court of Justice, in its Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, declared, inter alia, that the State of Israel is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory-which encompasses Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem-as rapidly as possible. The Secretary-General emphasized that there will be no sustainable solution to this conflict without an end to this unlawful occupation and the achievement of a viable two-state solution. He asserted that Gaza is and must remain an integral part of a Palestinian State.