Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to seize control of Gaza, triggering widespread international condemnation, with leaders from more than 10 countries and UN warning of severe humanitarian consequences.

The plan to take over Gaza’s largest city was announced on Friday, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel’s intention to assume military control over the entire Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera. 

The foreign ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom condemned Israel’s plan in a joint statement late on Friday, warning it risked “violating international humanitarian law.”

They warned it would also “aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians”.

“Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law,” the statement added.

Israel’s decision to take over Gaza City “must have consequences for EU-Israel relations”, EU Council President Antonio Costa said, urging the Israeli government to reconsider, according to Al Jazeera.

“Not only [does the decision] violate the agreement with the EU announced by the High Representative on July 19 but also undermines fundamental principles of international law and universal values,” Costa, who heads the European Council that represents EU member states, said in a statement on X. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Israel’s decision to intensify military operations in Gaza “wrong” and urged restraint.
 
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany will not authorize any exports to Israel of military equipment that could be used in Gaza “until further notice”. 

“The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be achieved,” he said, according to Al Jazeera. 
 
“Such actions would constitute further serious violations of international law and lead to a complete dead end,” France’s Foreign Ministry said in a social media statement.
 
On Friday, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and UAE also issued a statement strongly condemning the Israeli Security Cabinet's approval of the plan to expand military control over the Gaza Strip. 

China also voiced grave concern over Israel’s decision and urged Israel to halt the move immediately, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Friday.

Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an integral part of the Palestinian territory. The right way to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and realize the release of those being held is an immediate ceasefire, which is also key to fully resolving the conflict and safeguarding regional security. China stands ready to work with the rest of the international community to stop the fighting in Gaza as early as possible, ease the humanitarian disaster, implement the two-State solution and ultimately realize the full, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, Guo said.
 
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is “gravely alarmed” by Israel’s decision to take control of Gaza City.

“This decision marks a dangerous escalation and risks deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians” and Israeli captives in Gaza, his office said in a statement, adding that further escalation will lead to “additional forced displacement, killings and massive destruction”.
 
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistani prime minister also condemned Israel over its plan to take over Gaza City, according to Al Jazeera. 
 
Global Times