NEW YORK — Five members of the UN Security Council on Sunday condemned Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza, warning it risks violating international humanitarian law and worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

“We condemn the government of Israel's decision to further expand its military operations in Gaza. This plan risks violating international humanitarian law,” Slovenia’s UN ambassador Samuel Zbogar said in a joint statement on behalf of Slovenia, Britain, France, Denmark, and Greece.

The countries urged Israel to “urgently reverse this decision and not to implement it,” warning that expanding military operations would endanger civilian lives and the remaining hostages.

Zbogar described the humanitarian situation as “dangerously deteriorating,” saying: “Children are dying from starvation. Hunger is so severe that desperate civilians are taking the risk of getting killed at aid distribution sites in order to feed their families.”

Calling the crisis “manmade,” the statement demanded Israel lift restrictions on aid delivery and scrap “unreasonable visa and registration requirements” for international NGOs.

The five nations also called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and renewed efforts toward a two-state solution.

Israel has been under growing international criticism over its military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 61,000 people since October 2023 and left the enclave on the brink of famine.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the enclave. — Agencies