US cites ‘catastrophic conditions’ in Gaza at UN, asks Israel to stop ‘intensifying suffering’ on Palestinians

The United States has asked its ally, Israel, to urgently address “catastrophic conditions” among Palestinian civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and stop “intensifying suffering” by limiting deliveries of humanitarian aid.

Pointing at “devastating” reports of the “squalid” conditions in south and central Gaza, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “These catastrophic conditions were predicted months ago, and yet, have still not been addressed. That must change, and now."

“We call on Israel to take urgent steps to do so,” she said in a blunt statement.

Far past time for hostage & ceasefire deal

“It is far past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal, consistent with Resolution 2735, to bring the hostages home, allow for a surge in humanitarian aid, assure Israel’s security, end this war, and move toward a two-state solution,” she said.

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Conditions will further deteriorate if steps not taken

“But as we push for this deal, we must also continue to work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. Because let’s be clear: conditions are catastrophic and will further deteriorate if additional steps are not taken,” Thomas-Greenfield further said.

The 15-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met over the humanitarian crisis a year after a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza.

US warns Israel against Gaza-like military op in Lebanon

Thomas-Greenfield’s concerned remarks came around the same time the US warned Israel against attempting a military operation in Lebanon similar to its campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack at Israeli sites.

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After Biden-Netanyahu phone call, US warns Israel against Gaza-like military op in Lebanon

The US warning to Israeli troops came within hours after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video in which he warned Lebanon of “destruction and suffering” like Gaza if it continues to allow Hezbollah to operate within its borders.

In a video message on Wednesday, Netanyahu told the people of Lebanon to “free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end."  

“You have an opportunity that hasn’t existed in decades. An opportunity to take care of the future of your children and grandchildren. You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza,” the Israeli PM said.

Also Read: WATCH | Netanyahu warns Lebanon of 'destruction & suffering like Gaza if...'

Reacting to Netanyahu’s statement, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: “There should be no kind of military action in Lebanon that looks anything like Gaza and leaves a result anything like Gaza."

Also Read: After Biden-Netanyahu phone call, US warns Israel against Gaza-like military op in Lebanon

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden held a 30-minute long telephonic conversation with Netanyahu after the release of his warning video. The call was their first in seven weeks. The details of their telephonic conversation are not fully available yet but it was expected to focus on Israel’s response to last week’s missile barrage by Iran.

With inputs from agencies.