Middle East correspondent<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A top UN official has warned there would be “catastrophic consequences” if Israel expands its military operations in Gaza, after reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for total reoccupation.<\/p>\n Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jen\u010da told the UN Security Council such a move would be “deeply alarming”, and could endanger the lives of more Palestinians, as well as Israeli hostages held by Hamas.<\/p>\n Israeli media reported that Netanyahu plans to meet his security cabinet this week.<\/p>\n “The die has been cast. We’re going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip – and defeating Hamas,” a senior Israeli official was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The security cabinet, which is due to meet on Thursday, would need to approve such an action. <\/p>\n It has been suggested the plan could be a negotiating tactic to pressure Hamas after a recent breakdown of ceasefire talks, or an attempt to shore up support from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners.<\/p>\n Asked whether he would support an Israeli plan to reoccupy all of Gaza, US President Donald Trump responded: “That’s pretty much going to be up to Israel.”<\/p>\n Israel has been facing mounting international pressure over the war in Gaza, where experts say famine is unfolding.<\/p>\n In his remarks, Jen\u010da warned against any expansion of Israel’s military operations.<\/p>\n “This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza,” he said.<\/p>\n He added that under international law, Gaza “is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state”.<\/p>\n Israel’s military said it already had operational control of 75% of Gaza, but the new plan would reportedly propose occupying the entire region – including areas where more than two million Palestinians now live.<\/p>\n The proposals have proved divisive in Israel, with reports the army chief and other military leaders oppose the strategy.<\/p>\n The unnamed Israeli official responded by saying: “If that doesn’t work for the chief of staff, he should resign.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The families of hostages have expressed their fear that such a decision could endanger their loved ones. <\/p>\n Israel says 49 hostages are still being held in Gaza, of whom 27 are believed to be dead.<\/p>\n Jen\u010da reiterated to the UN Security Council the call for a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.<\/p>\n Citing the “squalid” and “inhumane” conditions faced by Palestinians, he urged Israel to immediately allow the unimpeded passage of sufficient aid.<\/p>\n “Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, and the aid that is permitted to enter is grossly inadequate,” Jen\u010da said.<\/p>\n He also condemned the ongoing violence at food distribution sites, saying more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the end of May while trying to access food and supplies.<\/p>\n Last week, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said 154 people including 89 children had died from a lack of food since October 2023.<\/p>\n UN agencies have warned there is man-made, mass starvation in Gaza, and reported at least 63 malnutrition-related deaths this month.<\/p>\n Israel has previously insisted there are no restrictions on aid deliveries and that there is “no starvation” in Gaza.<\/p>\n Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken to Gaza as hostages.<\/p>\n More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel’s military campaign, according to the territory’s health ministry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20250728-162205-9b8a2dcb37-web-2.26.0-8\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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