Israel’s Security Cabinet on Friday approved a plan to take full control of Gaza City, drawing swift and fierce international condemnation from the United Nations, European allies, and regional powers who warned the move would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Saturday to discuss the plan, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed in a statement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” by the decision, adding that Gaza “is and must remain an integral part of a Palestinian State.”
European Council President Antonio Costa called on Israel to reverse the decision, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the suspension of all German exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu spoke with Merz on Friday evening, expressing his disappointment with the German decision.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Israel to reconsider what he called a “wrong escalation” of the offensive in Gaza, warning of more bloodshed and dimmer prospects for peace. Portugal’s government voiced deep concern, and Iraq condemned the plan as a “blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the humanitarian “catastrophe” in Gaza. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the plan, warning it would worsen the crisis and derail peace prospects.
The Netherlands began airdropping humanitarian aid packages over the Gaza Strip, describing the situation as “catastrophic.” More than 1,000 aid packages have been airdropped over the territory since the resumption of international airdrop operations in late July with the participation of nine countries.
The approval of the Gaza City takeover plan comes amid the broader Middle East conflict, with the US and Israel continuing operations against Iran while Hezbollah maintains its position in Lebanon. The move is likely to further complicate already fragile diplomatic efforts to end the fighting and could deepen Israel’s isolation from its Western partners.
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