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Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday, marking a major escalation in the country’s nearly two-year offensive against Hamas. The war, which began after Hamas’ October 7 attack, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed large parts of Gaza, and left its 2 million residents on the brink of famine.
Netanyahu said ahead of the all-night cabinet meeting that Israel intended to retake control of the entire Gaza Strip and eventually hand it over to friendly Arab forces opposed to Hamas.
The announcement has triggered swift criticism around the world.
During talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kent, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington has “no plans” to recognise a Palestinian state, The Guardian reported. Vance said the administration’s goals were to prevent Hamas from attacking Israeli civilians again and to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
China voiced “serious concerns” and reiterated that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people,” AFP reported, calling for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for de-escalation.
The United Nations warned that any further escalation would cause “more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes,” urging renewed efforts toward a two-state solution. Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said the takeover plan runs contrary to the International Court of Justice’s ruling for Israel to end its occupation as soon as possible and risks more deaths and suffering.
Hamas described the decision as a “war crime” and said Israel “does not care about the fate of its hostages,” Reuters reported.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Berlin would halt all military exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice,” reported AP. While reiterating support for Israel’s right to defend itself, he stressed that “purposeful” ceasefire negotiations were a priority and that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s future.
Former Israeli ambassador to Germany Jeremy Issacharoff told Reuters that Israel “should be concerned” about the German decision, given Berlin’s decades of support.
EU Council President Antonio Costa said the move violates a July 19 agreement announced by the bloc’s High Representative and “must have consequences for EU-Israel relations.” While acknowledging Hamas’ October 7 assault as a “barbaric terrorist attack,” he urged Israel to reconsider, warning the plan would deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters the plan was “wrong” and would put remaining hostages at greater risk, according to Reuters.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wrote on X that France “strongly condemns” the operation, warning it would “worsen an already catastrophic situation without enabling the release of Hamas hostages, its disarmament, or its surrender.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the cabinet decision wrong, urging Tel Aviv to reverse it. Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn accused the UK government of being “complicit in genocide” for continuing arms sales to Israel, The Guardian reported.
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares told AFP the takeover would “only cause more destruction and suffering.”
Denmark’s top diplomat Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on TV2 that the move should immediately be reversed.
Jordan, once a quiet supporter of Israel, condemned the plan and noted the deterioration in bilateral ties over the past year, including recalls of ambassadors and calls for an arms embargo.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry “categorically” denounced the decision, according to Reuters, accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and “crimes of starvation.”
Turkey condemned the move and urged the UN Security Council to act.
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