Israel has firmly dismissed criticism from global leaders following the approval of a plan by its security cabinet to assume control of Gaza City.
Defence Minister Israel Katz asserted that nations expressing condemnation towards Israel and threatening sanctions would “not weaken our resolve.”
“Our adversaries will encounter us as a formidable, united front poised to deliver a powerful blow,” he stated.
The expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and various nations, including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. In response, Germany has taken the significant step of suspending military exports to Israel.
The Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan that outlines five key principles aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict. These principles include the disarmament of Hamas, the return of all hostages, the demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, the establishment of security control over the territory, and the creation of an alternative civil administration that is distinct from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli media reports indicate that the strategy primarily aims to establish complete control over Gaza City, with plans to relocate its approximately one million residents to areas further south. Military forces are set to assume control over refugee camps located in central Gaza, as well as regions believed to be housing hostages.
Reports indicate that a second offensive is set to occur weeks later, coinciding with an increase in humanitarian aid efforts.
The decision to intensify the conflict has sparked intense backlash from various factions within Israel, notably from military leaders and the relatives of hostages currently detained in Gaza.
Hamas has declared that the strategy to occupy Gaza City represents a “new war crime” and will have significant repercussions for Israel.
On Friday, foreign ministers from the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia issued a joint statement opposing the plan, asserting that it would “aggravate” the already “catastrophic” conditions in Gaza.
“They emphasised that any efforts towards annexation or the expansion of settlements are in direct violation of international law,” they stated.
Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, issued a stark warning that any further escalation could lead to “more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes.”
In a different response:
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the decision as “wrong,” asserting that it would “only bring more bloodshed.”
- Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, has called on Israel to reconsider its actions, warning that continuing on its current trajectory would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- The foreign ministry of Turkey has called on the global community to take action against Israel’s plan, which is perceived as an attempt to “forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land.”
- A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry stated to the AFP news agency, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his disappointment to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding Berlin’s choice to halt arms exports to Israel, characterising the move as a “reward for Hamas terrorism.”
Families of the remaining hostages in Gaza have issued a stark warning, stating that the lives of the 20 individuals believed to have survived are now in jeopardy.
The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters expressed that the decision is steering “towards a colossal catastrophe for both the hostages and our soldiers”.
The United States has adopted a more reserved stance in its criticisms. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump stated that the decision to occupy the Gaza Strip entirely rests largely with Israel.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) presently exercises control over approximately 75% of Gaza, leaving nearly all of its 2.1 million residents located in the remaining quarter of the territory that remains outside military oversight.
According to estimates from the United Nations, approximately 87% of Gaza is currently classified as either a militarised zone or an area subject to evacuation orders.
The United Nations reports that certain regions in central Gaza and along the Mediterranean coast remain unoccupied by Israel.
Among the significant developments in the region are the refugee camps, which now house a large portion of Gaza’s population following the destruction of their homes due to military actions by Israel.
A significant portion of Gaza’s population has been displaced due to the ongoing conflict, with many individuals experiencing displacement multiple times.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with UN-backed experts warning that the region is on the brink of famine.
The region is currently facing widespread deprivation due to stringent restrictions enforced by Israel on the entry of goods and resources, a measure the government claims is intended to undermine Hamas.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organisation, reported that July marked a peak in acute malnutrition cases among children in Gaza, with nearly 12,000 children under the age of five affected.
The conflict erupted following a Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 people, who were taken back to Gaza as hostages. In a significant military response, Israel has initiated an extensive offensive that has resulted in the deaths of at least 61,158 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
