UN warns against Israel’s Gaza plan

NETANYAHU: ISRAEL HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO FINISH THE JOB, COMPLETE THE DEFEAT OF HAMAS

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A senior UN official warned on yesterday that Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City would “likely trigger another calamity” with consequences beyond the embattled territory.

“If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction,” UN Assistant Secretary Miroslav Jenca told the UN Security Council.

Goal to free: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday said Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”

He was speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem and defending a planned military offensive. He asserts that “our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza.” He is also pushing back against what he calls a “global campaign of lies” as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel.

Netanyahu said there is a “fairly short timetable” in mind for next steps in Gaza.