Israel’s security cabinet has approved plans to launch a full-scale military takeover in Gaza City, triggering international condemnation against the action and the dire humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
Israeli military plans are contrary to international law – a ruling of the International Court of Justice stated that Israel must end its occupation and achieve a two-State solution giving Palestinians the right to self-determination.
The plan to take over Gaza’s largest city was announced on Friday, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip.
Here are the responses from global powers including Britain, the UN and China, all of which oppose the action and are calling for a stop to the “bloodshed” caused by “the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”
America is the only global power which has not spoken out against Israel’s new plans – Washington's Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said: “It's not our job to tell them what they should or should not do.”
Britain
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Israel’s decision to increase military operations in Gaza is “wrong” and called for a ceasefire.
He posted on X: “The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately.
“Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions.
“We need a ceasefire now. “
The UN
The UN insisted that the Israeli government must not pursue a complete takeover of the Gaza Strip.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said: “A complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted.”
America
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said it was “pretty much up to Israel” whether to fully occupy Gaza.
When asked the following day whether he was giving Israel a “green light”, he instead spoke about the US strikes on Iran earlier this year, according to the BBC.
Washington's Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said: “It's not our job to tell them what they should or should not do.
“Certainly, if they ask for wisdom, counsel, advice, I'm sure the president would offer it.
“But ultimately, it's the decision that the Israelis and only the Israelis can make.”
China
China expressed concerns over Israeli plans to take control of Gaza city, calling the country’s military forces to “immediately cease its dangerous actions.”
A foreign ministry spokesperson told the AFP news agency: “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory.
“The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire.”
Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has suspended arms sales to Israel that could be used in Gaza following the takeover plan.
The Chancellor said the suspension will be in place until further notice.
Sweden
In an interview with broadcaster SVT on Friday, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard, said: “I view with great concern the decision that the Israeli government has made.
“We need a ceasefire and this decision risks taking the development in the opposite direction.
“I have previously reiterated that any attempt to annex, change or reduce the territory of Gaza would violate international law.”
Australia
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Israel “not to go down this path,” adding it will “only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”
Finland
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said: “We hope for an immediate Gaza ceasefire and the immediate release of Israeli hostages,” according to Reuters.
She raised her concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza.
