The UN Security Council held an emergency session on Sunday to discuss Israel's plan to capture and occupy Gaza, but moments before it was scheduled to begin, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that his goal was not to occupy the territory, but to free it from Hamas.
At the meeting, a UN official warned that Israel's plans risked "another calamity" with far-reaching consequences.
The US, which has veto power at the security council and can block proposed actions, defended Israel.
Calling allegations of genocide in Gaza false, the US asserted that Israel has the right to decide what's best for its security, the Associated Press reported.
Speaking to media just before the UN meeting, Netanyahu defended the new military offensive, declaring that Israel "has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas".
He rubbished reports of starvation in Gaza as a "global campaign of lies".
"Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza," Netanyahu said.
He added that there is a "fairly short timetable" for next steps in Gaza, but didn't provide specifics.
However, he did say he wants a 'civilian administration' to be established in Gaza after Hamas is defeated.
Other council members, and UN officials, expressed alarm during the meeting.
China called the "collective punishment" of people in Gaza unacceptable while Russia warned against a "reckless intensification of hostilities".
Saudi Arabia condemned any move to occupy Gaza.
Netanyahu, however, took stern action at his critics.
After Germany, Israel's second-biggest arms supplier, suspended weapons deliveries, Netanyahu said Chancellor Friedrich Merz had "buckled under" growing international criticism.
"We will win the war, with or without the support of others," Netanyahu declared.
"We have about 70 to 75% of Gaza under Israeli control, military control. But we have two remaining strongholds. These are Gaza City and the central camps in Al Mawasi," Netanyahu told reporters, alleging, without proof, that those two destinations are Hamas enclaves.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca warned of "another calamity", saying if the plan was implemented, it could result in the displacement of all civilians from Gaza City by October 7 this year, affecting some 800,000 people, many of them already previously displaced.
A few hours before Netanyahu spoke, at least 26 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid in Gaza, hospitals and witnesses said.
According to the UN, more than 1,370 Palestinians have been killed since 27 May while seeking food.
However, the Israeli leader said photos of malnourished children in Gaza that have been printed on front pages around the world are "fake", going so far as to claim that the international media had been hoodwinked by Hamas propaganda.
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