Guterres Warns of ‘Catastrophic Consequences’ as Israel Plans Gaza City Control

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The United Nations has issued a stark and urgent warning against Israel's newly announced plan to take control of Gaza City, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeling the decision a "dangerous escalation" that threatens to worsen an already dire humanitarian situation for millions of Palestinians.

Reflecting the mounting global concern, the UN Security Council is set to convene for a rare weekend session on Saturday to address the controversial Israeli plan, a move signaling a significant diplomatic mobilization at the world's highest body for peace and security.

The sharp rebuke from the UN's top official came on Friday, underscoring the profound international apprehension surrounding the potential consequences of the Israeli government's decision. In a formal statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General's grave alarm was made public.

"The Secretary-General is gravely alarmed by the decision of the Israeli Government to 'take control of Gaza City'," the statement read. It went on to characterize the move in the strongest of terms, articulating the deep-seated fears within the international community.

"This decision marks a dangerous escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians," the spokesperson said on behalf of Guterres.

The powerful statement from the Secretary-General's office was almost immediately followed by news of concrete action from the United Nations' most powerful body.

According to three separate diplomatic sources who spoke to AFP, the UN Security Council will hold a special meeting on Saturday to specifically discuss Israel's plan.

This session is highly unusual, as the Council does not typically convene on weekends, and its scheduling highlights the perceived urgency and seriousness of the matter among member states. The meeting has been set for 1900 GMT, ensuring that the international community will formally address the issue less than 24 hours after the UN chief's public condemnation.

The impetus for the emergency session came from within the Council itself. A member of the Security Council, speaking to AFP, confirmed that the meeting had been requested by several of its members. This detail indicates that the push to hold Israel's plan up to international scrutiny is not the initiative of a single nation but rather a collective effort driven by a shared sense of alarm.

The sources confirmed that the session was called as global concern continues to mount over the implications of Israel's announced strategy for Gaza City.

The rapid sequence of events—from the Israeli announcement to the UN chief's condemnation and the subsequent scheduling of a Security Council meeting—paints a picture of a fast-moving diplomatic crisis that has captured the full attention of the international community.

As the world looks toward the Saturday session, the stage is set for a critical debate over a plan that the United Nations Secretary-General has already deemed a perilous step.

The Security Council's discussion will place Israel's decision under the direct spotlight of international law and diplomacy, with the explicit concerns about a "dangerous escalation" and "catastrophic consequences" for the Palestinian population expected to form the central pillars of the proceedings.