Israel’s security cabinet has authorised a plan to seize control of Gaza City, escalating the conflict and drawing widespread international condemnation amid fears of a severe humanitarian disaster. The move, announced on Friday following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip, is expected to deepen the suffering in the besieged enclave and trigger a new wave of mass displacement and hunger.
The decision has been met with urgent calls from world leaders and organisations urging Israel to halt the plan and reconsider its approach. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the move as “contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice” and a violation of Palestinian rights to self-determination. Turk demanded an immediate cessation of the military takeover plan.
The Palestinian presidency condemned the plan as a “complete crime” and a continuation of “genocide, systematic killing, starvation and siege,” warning it will provoke “an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.” Hamas criticised the plan as a reckless escalation, accusing the Israeli government of “sacrificing” captives held in Gaza.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad echoed concerns, calling Israel’s planned assault “a new chapter in the war of extermination” and urged Arab governments and the West to take responsibility in curbing the escalation.
Among the international political reactions, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled the decision “wrong,” urging restraint and warning that it would only escalate violence without advancing peace or hostage release efforts. Similarly, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “serious concerns” and called for an immediate ceasefire as the “correct way” to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a suspension of military equipment exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, citing the intensified military action as making existing goals increasingly unachievable.
Turkey and Egypt strongly condemned the decision, with Turkey accusing Israel of intending to forcibly displace Palestinians, and Egypt calling the plan a blatant violation of international law aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause. Both called for international intervention to halt Israel’s actions.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other Middle Eastern states denounced the plan as a grave breach of international humanitarian law and warned it would undermine the two-state solution and Palestinian rights. The European Union also condemned the move, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging Israel to reconsider, and European Council President Antonio Costa warning of consequences for EU-Israel relations.
Belgium announced it will summon the Israeli ambassador to express “total disapproval” of the plan and ongoing colonisation efforts. Spain, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands similarly criticised the escalation, emphasising the urgent need for ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and hostage releases.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that the takeover would exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian disaster and called for an immediate ceasefire while reaffirming support for Palestinian statehood. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the plan as a dangerous escalation that threatens peace and urged urgent international intervention.
Even within Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the cabinet’s decision as “a disaster for generations to come,” accusing Netanyahu of yielding to far-right pressure against military advice.
The unfolding situation raises grave concerns about the future of Gaza’s civilian population amid ongoing conflict and blockade. The international community faces mounting pressure to respond decisively to avert further humanitarian catastrophe.
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