Five members of the United Nations Security Council — the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia — have publicly condemned Israel’s plan to expand its military operations in Gaza and establish a new governing authority in the territory.
In a joint video statement released Sunday and obtained by SaharaReporters, the countries expressed grave concern over Israel’s intentions, warning that the move could breach international humanitarian law and exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis already unfolding in Gaza.
“We call for an urgent Security Council meeting regarding the situation in Gaza,” the statement read. “We strongly oppose Israel’s decision to expand its military operations. This plan risks violating international law and will only intensify civilian suffering and jeopardize the lives of hostages still held in Gaza.”
The countries urged Israel to reverse the decision, warning that continued military expansion could lead to more civilian deaths, mass displacement, and deepening famine — particularly affecting children, many of whom are already dying from starvation. They emphasized the need to protect humanitarian workers and facilitate safe, unrestricted access for aid organizations.
“This is a man-made crisis. Urgent action must be taken to scale up humanitarian assistance,” they said. “Israel must lift restrictions on aid and allow the United Nations and other humanitarian partners to operate with neutrality and independence.”
The condemnation comes amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reaffirmation of his government’s objective to take control of Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized that the goal is not permanent occupation but the removal of Hamas, which he accused of perpetuating violence and obstructing civilians’ access to safety.
“Hamas still controls thousands of armed terrorists,” Netanyahu stated. “They continue to pose a threat and oppress the people of Gaza, stealing aid and targeting civilians who attempt to flee to safe zones.”
Netanyahu argued that many Gazans oppose Hamas and are appealing to the international community for help. He maintained that Israel’s military campaign is necessary to neutralize a group he described as a “genocidal terrorist organization.”
The international community, however, remains divided, with growing pressure on Israel to seek alternative solutions that prioritize civilian safety and humanitarian access while addressing legitimate security concerns.
