Criticism mounts globally over Israel's proposed strategies for Gaza
The international community has expressed concern and criticism over Israel's plans to seize Gaza City, with the United Nations (UN) leading the charge.
United Nations (UN): The UN Security Council convened soon after Israel announced its plan to take control of Gaza City. Many UN ambassadors condemned the plan. Ramesh Rajasingham, coordinator of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned that Israel’s plans would inflict "a further human toll" on Gaza, which faces "starvation, pure and simple," especially with increasing child deaths amid the conflict[4].
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres also warned of a "dangerous escalation."
European Union (EU) and Germany: While explicit recent statements from the EU and Germany are not detailed in the current search results, the EU has generally expressed concern about civilian harm and called for respect of international law in the Gaza conflict context. Germany, as a leading EU member, tends to align with calls for restraint and humanitarian access; however, specific 2025 reactions to the Gaza offensive plan are not explicitly stated in the retrieved data.
Qatar: Qatar, historically one of Hamas’s supporters, along with Turkey and other Arab and Muslim-majority states, issued a joint declaration urging Hamas to return control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority and disarm. This represents a shift away from direct support for Hamas and a push for a Palestinian-led governance under broader Arab League frameworks[3].
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the planned offensive threatens to further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE is generally part of the Arab League framework seeking political solutions in Gaza, likely aligning with the call for Palestinian Authority governance over Hamas, but the search results do not specify a direct statement from the UAE regarding Israel’s seizure plan. The UAE typically advocates for stability and reconstruction efforts in Gaza within an internationally recognized framework[3].
The government of the United Arab Emirates has called for de-escalating measures and warned against the spread of violence, tensions, and insecurity throughout the region.
Joint Statement: The joint statement suggests that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The partners have called on the international community to work towards a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian aid for the suffering population in the Gaza Strip.
Germany: Germany has halted exports of military goods that could be used in the Gaza conflict.
Israel: Israel has rejected this proposal and the Israeli Security Cabinet has made a decision to seize the city of Gaza. The offensive, if carried out, could exacerbate the humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, and lead to massive civilian displacement.
The plans to seize Gaza have sparked global criticism. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have condemned Israel's plans to seize the city of Gaza. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa have called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision.
The partners have also demanded the immediate release of hostages from the Islamic Hamas. The international community's response to Israel's plans to seize the Gaza Strip has been largely critical and concerned, emphasizing the humanitarian toll and the need for political solutions. The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated that "Netanyahu's government is losing Europe - completely." The statement also suggests that Hamas must be completely disarmed and excluded from any form of government responsibility.
- Despite Israel's decision to seize Gaza City, the European Union (EU) and Germany, through their implicit condemnation of civilian harm and advocacy for respect of international law, have indirectly expressed opposition to the plan.
- Amidst the global criticism, radio broadcasts discussing the international community's response to Israel's plans to seize Gaza City have featured discussions on the humanitarian toll and need for political solutions, highlighting the concern and criticism from countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa.
