UNSC to hold emergency session on Israel’s Gaza city occupation plan

Death toll from starvation rises to 212 since war began, including 98 children

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United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene an emergency session to discuss Israel’s plan to capture and occupy Gaza City, following approval of the operation by Israel’s Security Cabinet on Friday.

The move has sparked international condemnation, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling it a “dangerous escalation” in the 22-month war in the Gaza Strip.

The session, requested by Denmark, France, Greece, the United Kingdom and Slovenia, is scheduled to begin at 10am (14:00 GMT) in New York. According to the Security Council Report, all members except the United States supported the request.

UN rapporteurs are expected to present assessments of the potential consequences of seizing Gaza’s largest city.

In a joint statement, Germany, the UK, Italy, New Zealand and Australia rejected the plan, warning it would worsen the humanitarian crisis, endanger captives’ lives, and risk mass civilian displacement.

Israeli Minister threatens to collapse government over Gaza war plans

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to bring down the government and force new elections amid internal tensions over the direction of the war in Gaza.

Read: Thousands protest in Tel Aviv against Israeli govt move to expand Gaza war

Smotrich made the remarks during a security cabinet meeting on Thursday night discussing future military operations, Al Jazeera reported.

“From my perspective, we can stop everything and let the people decide,” he said, according to Israel’s Kan public broadcaster

The governing coalition currently holds just 60 seats in the 120-member Knesset, following the recent departures of the United Torah Judaism party and far-right legislator Avi Maoz. An election would only be triggered if parties in the Knesset vote to dissolve the government.

In a rare public rebuke, Smotrich later issued a statement saying he had “lost faith that the prime minister is able and wants to lead the IDF to a decisive victory.”

Forced starvation death toll rises to 212

Israeli forces continued heavy bombardment of Gaza on Saturday as the death toll from starvation since the start of the war rose to 212, including 98 children, according to local health authorities.

Photos: Tens of thousands rally in Tel Aviv to demand end to Gaza war

An estimated 60,000 Israelis joined a protest organised by family and supporters of captives held in Gaza in Tel Aviv on Saturday night-AFP

Protesters gathered outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, calling on Israelis to refuse to follow orders to seize Gaza City, The Times of Israel reported-AFP

Photo: AFP

Read more: PM condemns Israel’s plan to seize Gaza as 'illegal, illegitimate'

Israel's war on Gaza

The Israeli army has launched a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing at least 58,667 Palestinians, including 17,400 children. More than 139,974 people have been injured, and over 14,222 are missing and presumed dead.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. The proposed deal includes a pause in hostilities, increased humanitarian aid, and negotiations on the release of captives.