UN and WHO Sound Alarm on Israel’s Gaza Occupation Plans Amid Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
Five members of the UN Security Council—Slovenia, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, and Greece—issued a rare joint condemnation of Israel’s proposal to occupy Gaza during an emergency UN session, branding the plan as a violation of international humanitarian law and a direct threat to civilians nearing famine. Slovenia’s UN Ambassador emphasized the duty to reverse this plan urgently, warning of worsening humanitarian suffering and mass starvation.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also voiced deep concern, labeling Israel’s occupation plan as “deeply worrying” and cautioning it could further endanger children already suffering from severe malnutrition.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified dramatically. Nearly 12,000 children under five were identified as acutely malnourished in July—the highest monthly figure on record—while nearly one in five children in Gaza City suffers from acute malnutrition.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has confirmed that the “worst-case famine scenario” is unfolding, with famine thresholds already met across much of Gaza. At least 122 individuals, including 83 children, have died from starvation; however, true figures are believed to be higher.
The broader humanitarian collapse is stark: since October 2023, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 150,000 wounded. Displacement affects nearly 1.9 million people, approximately 90% of the population, with essential infrastructure—homes, roads, hospitals—crippled by conflict.
Aid access remains severely restricted. Only about 14% of required humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza in recent weeks, raising alarm as starvation spreads unchecked.
In parallel, Israel has announced plans for a ground operation to seize control of Gaza City—deploying up to 30,000 troops and evacuating civilians to “safe zones”, further escalating civilian risk.
