Criticism of Israel's Gaza Development Plans on a Global Scale
The international community has expressed grave concern over Israel's plans to capture the city of Gaza, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government leading the condemnation. The UAE has called for de-escalating measures and warned against the spread of violence, tension, and insecurity throughout the region.
The Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to capture Gaza has been met with strong opposition from various quarters. The foreign ministries of five countries, including the UAE, have stated that such an offensive could exacerbate the humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, lead to massive civilian displacement, and potentially violate humanitarian international law.
The European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa have called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision regarding the capture of Gaza. Qatar's statement also undermines efforts towards a lasting ceasefire.
The plans have also faced criticism from allies in Europe and key mediators in the region. Germany, Britain, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia have rejected the Israeli plans to capture the city of Gaza. Qatar, an important mediator in the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Hamas, has also condemned the Israeli plans.
The UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on the matter on Sunday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a "dangerous escalation" regarding the plans. The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has stated that "Netanyahu's government is losing Europe - completely."
The only way to achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, according to the joint statement, is through a two-state solution. The Hamas must be completely disarmed and excluded from any form of government responsibility for a two-state solution to be achieved. The Palestinian Authority (PA) should play a central role in any future government in the Gaza Strip.
Reports from UN agencies, human rights experts, and humanitarian organizations suggest that Israeli attacks and ground operations across Gaza have caused tens of thousands of civilian casualties, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, massive displacement, and inhumane living conditions. There are repeated reports of strikes on civilian shelters, schools, and people seeking humanitarian aid, which raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on civilians and humanitarian operations.
The blockade and restrictions on humanitarian access—including the denial of essential aid like food, medicine, and medical supplies—for over five months have been described as a “war crime” and part of a “genocide” risk through starvation and collective punishment. The resulting famine and malnutrition-related deaths, including among children, have prompted urgent calls to dismantle controversial humanitarian mechanisms perceived as inadequate or militarized.
International humanitarian partners call for lifting all aid restrictions, protecting humanitarian space, ensuring safe large-scale access to Gaza, and ceasing violence against civilians to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation. The international community's stance is one of grave alarm: Israel's plans to seize Gaza risk gross violations of international humanitarian law by causing disproportionate civilian suffering, obstructing humanitarian aid, and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. These actions undermine peace prospects and threaten to destabilize the broader region.
[1] UN agencies, human rights experts, and humanitarian organizations report on civilian casualties, destruction, and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. [2] UN experts and humanitarian bodies describe the blockade and restrictions on humanitarian access as a "war crime" and part of a "genocide" risk. [3] UN officials express deep concern over the worsening conditions and undermining of peace negotiations due to Israeli military activities in Gaza. [4] International humanitarian partners call for lifting aid restrictions, protecting humanitarian space, ensuring safe access, and ceasing violence against civilians. [5] Urgent calls to dismantle controversial humanitarian mechanisms perceived as inadequate or militarized due to the resulting famine and malnutrition-related deaths.
- The international community's stance on Israel's plans to seize Gaza is one of grave alarm, as these actions could potentially violate humanitarian international law by causing disproportionate civilian suffering, obstructing humanitarian aid, and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
- UN experts and humanitarian bodies have described the blockade and restrictions on humanitarian access in Gaza as a "war crime" and part of a "genocide" risk, prompting urgent calls to dismantle controversial humanitarian mechanisms perceived as inadequate or militarized.
