United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is gravely alarmed by the Israeli Security Cabinet's recent plan to take over Gaza City, said Stephanie Tremblay, associate spokeswoman for the UN chief, speaking at a press conference on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Friday in a statement that the Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over the enclave's biggest city, and that the Israel Defense Forces will prepare for the takeover while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones.
"The Secretary-General is gravely alarmed by the decision of the Israeli government to take control of Gaza City. The decision marks a dangerous escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians, and could further endanger more lives, including the lives of the remaining hostages," Tremblay said.
The Secretary-General warns that this further escalation will result in additional forced displacement, killings and massive destruction, compounding the unimaginable suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza.
The UN chief has once again strongly urged the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law.
On the same day, Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called on the international community and the UN Security Council to take immediate measures to prevent the extremely dangerous escalation.
He told reporters at the UN headquarters that the escalation by the Israeli government goes in total contradiction to the will of the international community, international law and common sense.
"What we need is peace, what we need is the end of occupation, and independence of the State of Palestine, and to make the global consensus on the two-state solution a reality," he said.
Israel's permanent representative to the UN Danny Danon said that Israel will continue to fight for the release of hostages.
When asked about whether the occupation of the entirety of Gaza would help release the hostages, Mansour gave an unequivocal response.
"No, it is not the way. The fastest way to release the hostages and the Palestinian prisoners is immediate ceasefire, not the escalation of the war," he said.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza takeover plan marks 'dangerous escalation': UN chief
Gaza takeover plan marks 'dangerous escalation': UN chief
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
