Global condemnation of Israel's proposed strategies towards Gaza
Israel's plans for a full military takeover of Gaza City and broader control over the Gaza Strip have sparked international outrage and concern. The proposed operation, set for October 7, 2025, involves evacuating civilians to so-called "humanitarian zones" and implementing siege measures [1].
The United Nations (UN) has been particularly critical of these plans, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urging Israel to halt the military takeover. Türk warns that such action would violate international law and contravene the International Court of Justice ruling requiring Israel to end occupation and pursue a two-state solution respecting Palestinian self-determination [2].
The UN is also alarmed by the potential for massive forced displacement, atrocities, and humanitarian suffering that could result from the escalation [2]. There is an urgent call from the UN for unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza and the immediate release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians [2].
Analysts fear that the situation could mirror past costly urban battles, with significant loss of civilian life and destruction, similar to Fallujah and Mosul [1]. The UN stresses that the planned forced displacement of up to a million people within Gaza, siege tactics, and the likely heavy civilian casualties as Israel seeks control over densely populated areas like Gaza City would be a violation of humanitarian law [1][2].
The international community, including Germany, Britain, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia, has rejected Israel's plans, viewing them as a dangerous escalation and a threat to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip [3]. Germany has temporarily halted the export of military goods to Israel that could be used in the Gaza war [4].
The UN and international legal authorities maintain that Israeli plans to fully occupy Gaza contravene calls for ending occupation and realizing a two-state solution that guarantees Palestinian rights and sovereignty [2]. Israeli officials have not formally abandoned their broader strategic aims, which include neutralizing Hamas and preventing future threats. However, their current military plans deeply challenge prospects for peaceful coexistence and statehood for Palestinians in Gaza.
The partners, including Germany, Britain, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia, believe that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians [5]. They propose that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should play a central role in a future government in the Gaza Strip [6].
Not all parties have expressed the same concerns, however. Neither Qatar nor the United Arab Emirates have rejected Israel's proposal that the Hamas must be completely disarmed and excluded from any form of government responsibility, unlike the earlier mentioned partners [7]. Neither Qatar nor the United Arab Emirates have proposed that the PA should play a central role in a future government in the Gaza Strip, unlike the earlier mentioned partners [8].
The United Arab Emirates has called for de-escalating measures and warned of the spread of violence, tensions, and insecurity throughout the region [9]. Qatar's statement has been seen as undermining efforts towards a lasting ceasefire, as it could exacerbate the humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, and cause massive civilian displacement [10].
In summary, Israel's current plans for Gaza's military conquest have received approval internally but face strong international condemnation for violating humanitarian law and obstructing the two-state solution. The conflict's escalation risks severe humanitarian consequences and undermines long-term peace prospects [1][2][5].
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Israel to halt its military takeover of Gaza City, stating that it would violate international law and contravene the International Court of Justice ruling [2]. The UN is also alarmed by the potential for humanitarian suffering and forced displacement, given the planned forced displacement of up to a million people within Gaza, siege tactics, and the likely heavy civilian casualties [1][2].
