United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he was “alarmed by reported plans by Israel to expand ground operations in Gaza”.

“I emphasise the UN will not participate in any operation that doesn’t adhere to international law and humanitarian principles — humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” Guterres said in a post on X.

“I reiterate my appeal for the full support of UNRWA’s work,” he said, adding that he “rejected the repeated displacement of the population — along with any question of forced displacement outside of Gaza”.