Coordinated alarm sounded over Gaza military operation
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, has approved a plan to seize "operational control" of Gaza City with the longer-term goal of controlling the entire Gaza Strip. This plan, which includes placing Gaza City under siege by October 7, 2025, and evacuating up to a million people to designated "humanitarian zones," has sparked concern and condemnation from various international bodies and nations.
The United Nations, under the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, has strongly opposed the plan. Guterres stated that Israel's move would further worsen the critical situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the matter at an emergency meeting, expressing grave concern over the potential humanitarian crisis and mass forced displacements that the plan could trigger.
A joint statement by Germany, the UK, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia has demanded the immediate release of all hostages by the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas. The statement also warns against Israel's plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip, predicting that such a move could trigger mass forced displacements and endanger the lives of hostages in the Gaza Strip. The joint statement further calls for the disarmament of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas.
The offensive by Israel could potentially lead to the disarmament of Hamas, according to the joint statement. However, the Israeli military has reportedly expressed strong objections, warning that such an operation could lead to high casualties on both sides and worsen the conflict by playing into Hamas' hands.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for the immediate halt of the plan, emphasizing that it would violate international law, exacerbate humanitarian suffering, cause massive forced displacement, and lead to further atrocity crimes. Türk urged Israel to focus on enabling unfettered humanitarian aid access and stressed the need for the release of all hostages and detainees while calling for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
As of August 16, 2025, no specific recent reactions have been found from Germany, the UK, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia regarding this matter. It is likely that these countries' governments are closely monitoring the situation, given its gravity.
In summary, the international community, including the United Nations and several key nations, has expressed concern and condemnation over Israel's plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip. The plan faces internal military opposition and potential humanitarian crises, prompting calls for peace, the release of hostages, and the disarmament of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas.
The Israeli government's plan to seize control of Gaza Strip, as disputed by international bodies, is a topic of intense discussion in the arena of general news and politics. The United Nations, along with Germany, the UK, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia, have shown concern over the potential humanitarian crisis, mass forced displacements, and breach of international law, emphasizing the need for peace and the disarmament of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas.
