UN, UK warn 'Israel' against Gaza City control plot, call for truce
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UK and UN urge "Israel" to halt Gaza City control plan, warning it worsens the humanitarian crisis and undermines the "Two-State Solution".
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People inspect the damage at the Sheikh Radwan al-Taba UNRWA clinic following an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday urged "Israel" to immediately reconsider its plan to take control of Gaza City, calling the move “wrong” and counterproductive to resolving the ongoing war.
“This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages,” Starmer said. “It will only bring more bloodshed.”
His remarks came hours after the Israeli military announced its intention to "take control" of Gaza City under a plan put forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and approved by the security cabinet.
Starmer’s statement follows growing pressure within the UK government for "Israel" to deescalate its offensive and commit to a ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory. The British Prime Minister stated last week that the UK would formally recognize a Palestinian state in September if "Israel" fails to take "substantive steps" toward ending the war, including halting its military operations.
“The decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately,” Starmer said Friday.
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UN Human Rights chief reiterates ICJ ruling, condemns Israeli plot
In Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also condemned the proposed military takeover, calling for its immediate suspension.
“The Israeli Government's plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted,” Turk said on Friday.
He stressed that the plan directly violates a ruling by the International Court of Justice, which obliges "Israel" to end its occupation as soon as possible, in line with international law and the agreed framework for a two-state solution.
“It runs contrary to the realisation of the agreed Two-State solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination,” Turk added.
The UN official further called for "Israel" to allow the full and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and demanded that Palestinian Resistance groups release all captives unconditionally. He also urged "Israel" to release Palestinians who are being "arbitrarily detained."
Calls for ceasefire grow
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, both the UK and the UN are calling for immediate steps to address civilian suffering and move toward a diplomatic resolution.
“What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution,” Starmer said.
He added that the UK and its allies are working on a long-term framework for peace in the region based on the so-called two-state solution, but warned that the current trajectory threatens to undermine all prospects for lasting "peace".
“Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.”
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