UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Gaza Saturday
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The Israeli political-security cabinet approved a plan to take over control of Gaza on Thursday, drawing widespread criticism.
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A camp of tents housing displaced Palestinians extends across Gaza City on July 17, 2025. (AP)
The UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Saturday in response to "Israel’s" newly announced plan to seize control of Gaza City.
The meeting was called at the request of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who urged urgent action to halt what he described as "Israel’s" dangerous military escalation in Gaza.
The exchange comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that "Israel’s" security cabinet had approved a plan to extend control over the entire Gaza Strip to establish a security perimeter before handing authority to a new "civilian administration." Netanyahu insisted that "Israel" does not intend to maintain permanent control of the territory, but critics warn the move amounts to a full military takeover that will displace large numbers of civilians, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine any prospects for a negotiated solution.
The foreign ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom announced their rejection of "Israel's" decision to launch an additional large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, affirming their unity in their commitment to implementing a two-state solution through negotiations.
In a joint statement, the ministers called on "Israel" to find urgent solutions to amend its recently implemented registration system for international humanitarian organizations.
Israeli war cabinet splits over Gaza plans as Zamir issues warning
A recent meeting of the Israeli security cabinet turned highly tense during discussions on military plans for the Gaza Strip, CNN reported Friday, citing an Israeli official.
According to the source, several ministers shouted at Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir after he raised a series of concerns during the session. Among them was a warning about a serious and imminent threat to Israeli captives held in Gaza. All of these warnings, however, were reportedly rejected by cabinet members.
The exchange reflects deep internal divisions over the course of the Israeli war on Gaza and sharp differences in views regarding the available options for the territory.
On Thursday, Israel Hayom cited Israeli military sources as saying Zamir intended to try to persuade the security cabinet that occupying Gaza was not the right choice, and to discuss the long duration and significant military and economic repercussions such a plan would entail.
Zamir demands war strategy
The Israeli Army Radio reported that the conflict between Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the political leadership has reached an extremely tense level, as Zamir insists on receiving clear strategic direction from the government about whether to prolong the war on Gaza.
Military reporter Doron Kadosh stated that Zamir raised concerns, noting that the war cabinet had not met in a significant amount of time, leaving the army without clear guidance on whether to proceed with the offensive, and that commanders were not being given decisive directives.
Kadosh also reported that Zamir is advocating for a negotiated deal, emphasizing the need for flexibility and intensified efforts to secure an agreement, adding that the army has signaled its readiness to accept any terms, including a broader ceasefire agreement that could bring the war to an end.
