The United Nations Security Council convened an urgent session on August 10, 2025, to address a contentious Israeli government proposal for the permanent occupation of Gaza City. This development has amplified international apprehension regarding the escalating humanitarian crisis and the broader political ramifications for the region.
During the emergency meeting, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, implored the global community to intervene, stating, "stop the genocide" in Gaza. He articulated a grave concern that Israel's actions aim at the destruction of the Palestinian people through death and displacement, coupled with the annexation of Palestinian territory. Ambassador Mansour highlighted the immense suffering of over two million individuals in Gaza, a sentiment echoed by the dire statistics presented by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA's coordination director, Ramesh Rajasingham, reported that "This is no longer a crisis of impending hunger, this is hunger, pure and simple." The data further revealed a tragic toll, with at least 100 children having succumbed to acute malnutrition since the conflict's inception in October 2023, and 37 of these fatalities occurring since July.
In response, Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Jonathan Miller, refuted any intentions of permanent occupation. He outlined five core principles guiding Israel's approach: disarming Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security control over the enclave, and establishing a non-Israeli civil administration. U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea supported Israel's security imperatives, dismissing claims of genocide as "categorically false." However, permanent members of the Security Council, including Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, voiced significant concerns. These nations cautioned about the potential for severe regional repercussions, increased displacement, further loss of life, and widespread destruction should the plan be enacted.
Dr. Burcu Ozcelik, a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that a full-scale occupation would usher in a "bleak and highly volatile new phase of the war with far-reaching regional and international implications," potentially stemming from a response to European initiatives to recognize a Palestinian state and the ongoing failure to secure a ceasefire. The debate underscored the starkly contrasting perspectives on the situation. While Israel and its ally, the United States, emphasized security measures and the denial of occupation plans, other key international players expressed profound worry about the humanitarian catastrophe and the destabilizing effects on regional stability. The stark figures on child malnutrition, with nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City now acutely malnourished according to Nutrition Cluster partners, underscore the urgency and gravity of the discussions within the Security Council. The situation reflects a complex geopolitical landscape where security concerns intersect with a deepening humanitarian crisis, prompting a critical examination of the path forward for the region.