European and world leaders have criticised Israel’s decision to take control of Gaza city, and warned the move to exacerbate the already devastating humanitarian crisis on the strip and lead to a German decision to suspend exports of weapons that can be used in Gaza.
Israeli security cabinet approved a controversial plan early on Friday, marking a new escalation in the nearly two-year war against Hamas.
An announcement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came after hours of discussion among senior officials. The decision to move to Gaza city was made in light of Netanyahu’s previous proposal that the troops “control over all Gaza”, but his argument was also made that Israel had no intention of occupying the strip forever.
German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz’s decision not to allow exports of military equipment available to Gaza “until further notice” marked a break from Statosrason, the cornerstone of Germany’s foreign policy.
“The new military push agreed by Israeli security cabinets will make it increasingly unclear how these goals will be achieved,” Meltz posted on X.
Mertz added that Netanyahu’s planned attacks “the Israeli government is taking even more responsibility than before to ensure that civilians can provide the necessary supplies.”
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer has denounced the Israeli security cabinet’s decision in strong language, stating, “Irrael’s decision to further escalate the attack in Gaza is incorrect, so I urge them to reconsider it soon.”
“This measure does nothing to end this conflict or help to ensure the release of hostages. It will only bring about more bloodshed,” Starmer said in a statement.
“What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian assistance, Hamas’ release of all hostages and a negotiated solution.”
Priority added that Hamas “must play a role in Gaza’s future and leave just like disarming.” He said the UK is working with its allies on long-term strategies to establish peace in the region “as part of the two-state solution.”
Israel asked to “rethink”
The comments were reflected in greater intensity by other European politicians who revealed that Gaza’s acquisition would be even worse as it would exacerbate the current humanitarian disaster of the Strip, and that the Gaza acquisition would be even worse as the only way to end the ongoing war with Hamas.
Spanish Foreign Minister, Socialist Jose Manuel Alvarez, strongly condemned the decision to take over Gaza.
His Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, was a member of the new social contract on the centre right, calling Gaza Netanyahu’s plan to take over as “the wrong move.”
“The humanitarian situation is devastating and calls for immediate improvement,” Veldkamp posted to X.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajong “strongly” denounced Israel’s plans and urged Israel to “stop any intentions or attempts to occupy Gaza militarily.”
“That kind of attempt would further exacerbate the already unacceptable humanitarian conditions. An immediate and permanent ceasefire is needed,” she said.
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Varton, reflecting these concerns, said he is “very worried” about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“We want a ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate release of Israeli hostages,” she said.
The more measured response came from President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission. He called on the Israeli government to “reconsider” its decision to expand its military operations in Gaza.
Von Der Leyen made it clear that the priority is “release of all hostages detained in inhumane circumstances,” and that it will provide Gaza with humanitarian assistance “not to be immediately hampered” and establish a ceasefire.
Next, Council of Europe President Antonio Costa responded strongly to Netanyahu’s acquisition plan, urging the 27-member bloc to take action.
According to Costa, Israel’s decision, along with “illegal expansion of settlements on the West Bank, massive destruction of Gaza, blockade of humanitarian aid and widespread hunger,” is violating the agreement reached by the EU, which reached last month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“Such decisions must have consequences on EU-Israel relations to be evaluated by the Council,” Costa concluded.
US President Donald Trump earlier this week criticized Hamas for stalling negotiations, commenting that the decision “really belongs to Israel.” “They really didn’t want to make a deal,” he said.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volksar Tark denounced the move, saying, “The Israeli government’s plans for a complete military acquisition of the occupied Gaza Strip must be stopped soon.”
“Contrary to the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Israel must end its occupation as soon as possible, the two agreed state solutions and the Palestinians must realize their right to self-determination,” he added.
“Declaration of war crimes”
The response within Israel was split. Opposition leader Eia Rapid condemned the government’s plans and said it was against the advice of military leaders.
“The plan is completely contrary to the military and defence facilities position without considering burnout and fatigue in combat forces,” he said.
General Eyal Zamir warned on Thursday that the plan would put the lives of hostages at risk and further expand the army.
Zamir has recently repeatedly collided with the security cabinet, particularly on Gaza’s proposals.
Before Thursday’s security cabinet session, Netanyahu denied Israel’s intention to permanently control the entire Gaza.
“We don’t want to keep it up. We want to have a security line,” the Israeli leader told Fox News. “We don’t want to govern that. We don’t want to be there as governing bodies.”
He said that Israel intends to hand over the strip to the alliance of Arab forces that govern it.
The announcement continues to warn humanitarian organisations of the serious state of Gaza, leading to an increasing daily increase in widespread hunger and evacuation.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas War in Gaza has expelled almost the entire population of Gaza, destroying more than 60% of the enclave’s buildings and infrastructure, bringing most of its 2 million residents to the brink of hunger.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Fifty hostages are still in detention, but less than half of them are thought to be alive.
Israel’s subsequent attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry run by Hamas, which does not distinguish fighter jets and civilians.
Israeli forces say nearly 900 soldiers have died since the war began.
