The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - Security Council, 9975th meeting

In emergency Security Council session, UN warns Israel’s Gaza City takeover could trigger ‘another horrific chapter’ in conflict.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 03:00:09
• Production Date: 10 August 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: MIROSLAV JENCA; RAMESH RAJASINGHAM
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - OCHA; DEPARTMENT OF PEACE OPERATIONS - DPO; DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AND PEACEBUILDING AFFAIRS - DPPA
• Subject Topical: DISARMAMENT; HUMANITARIAN CRISIS; DISPLACED PERSONS; CEASEFIRES; CIVILIAN PROTECTION; MILITARY ACTIVITY; DEMILITARISATION; HUNGER; HAMAS; TERRITORIES OCCUPIED BY ISRAEL; HOSTAGES; CONFLICT
• Geographic Subject: ISRAEL; GAZA
• MAMS Id: 3435711
• Parent Id: 3435471
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 9975 MIDDLE EAST PALESTINE 10 AUG 2025 AM

Description

Israel’s latest decision to take over Gaza City risks “igniting another horrific chapter” in the conflict, a senior United Nations official said during an emergency Security Council session today, as delegates warned that this escalation will uproot a million people and exacerbate an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for “defeating Hamas” includes the disarmament of Hamas, the release of all hostages; the Gaza Strip’s demilitarization; Israeli security control over the Strip; and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The Israel Defense Forces will also prepare to take control of Gaza City, while providing humanitarian assistance outside combat zones.

“This is yet another dangerous escalation of the conflict,” he warned, adding that Israel foresees the displacement of all civilians from Gaza City by 7 October 2025, affecting some 800,000 people, many of them previously displaced. Reports indicate that the Israel Defense Forces would then surround the city for three months. This would then reportedly be followed by an additional two months to seize control of central Gaza’s camps and clear the entire area of Palestinian armed groups.

“If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction — compounding the unbearable suffering of the population,” he said. Last night, thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv and cities across Israel to call for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal.

Emphasizing that the only way to stop the immense human suffering in Gaza is through a full, immediate and permanent ceasefire, he urged the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as rapid, safe, unimpeded and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. There will be no sustainable solution without an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation and the achievement of a viable two-State solution, he stressed, stating: “Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a Palestinian State.”

• Briefer: Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO)
• Briefer: Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination, Coordination Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (via video-teleconference)
• Statements: All Council members
• Statement: Observer State of Palestine
• Statement: Israel
• Statement: Iraq (also on behalf of: League of Arab States)
• Statement: Kuwait (also on behalf of: Gulf Cooperation Council)
• Statement: Senegal

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.9975