escalating condemnation of Israel's Gaza strategies – UN Security Council convenes on a Sunday discussion - Increased scrutiny of Israel's Gaza strategies - UN Security Council assembly on Sunday
The international community is expressing concern over Israel's planned takeover of the Gaza Strip, with experts, UN officials, and several states labelling the decision as illegal. The looming military action, which could potentially violate international humanitarian law, has been met with widespread condemnation.
Key points on international response and legal implications are as follows:
Violation of International Law
Experts stress that Israel’s planned occupation of Gaza City breaches core principles of international law, including the prohibition on the violent acquisition of territory and the unlawful continuance of occupation. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion in July 2024 declaring the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories unlawful and requiring its end by September 2025.
International Humanitarian Law Concerns
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has emphasized that the planned complete military takeover contradicts international law and risks massive forced displacement, killing, and atrocity crimes. He called for the Israeli government to halt the offensive and instead allow unfettered humanitarian aid access to Gaza civilians.
Right to Self-Determination
The occupation of Gaza violates Palestinians’ right to self-determination. The ICJ and UN resolutions support the two-State solution as the pathway to peaceful coexistence, which any forcible territorial seizure undermines.
Calls for Diplomatic Pressure
Academic and legal experts urge third states to exert diplomatic pressure on Israel to cease its plans, citing the established post-WWII international order norms against territorial conquest and occupation.
States’ Condemnations
Countries like Pakistan have condemned the takeover as a “flagrant violation of international law and UNSC resolutions,” aligning with UN human rights calls for ending Israeli impunity and allowing humanitarian assistance.
Current Military Context
The Israeli military, having recently approved the operational framework for the ground offensive aiming at Gaza City and Hamas infrastructure, has intensified airstrikes, resulting in heavy civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza.
In sum, the international legal consensus, as reflected by the UN, ICJ advisory opinions, human rights officials, and expert commentators, is that Israel’s planned full military control over Gaza is unlawful under international law, presents serious risks of humanitarian catastrophe, and should be halted immediately in favor of political solutions and humanitarian relief.
Amidst this escalating crisis, calls are growing for Israel's government to allow international aid organizations to do their work in the Gaza Strip. The situation in the region is approaching famine, with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressing concern over Israel's decision, which he considers a dangerous escalation that could exacerbate the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians. The foreign ministers of Germany, Australia, Britain, Italy, and New Zealand have also called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
As the international community watches this unfold, the UN Security Council has scheduled a rare weekend meeting for Sunday at 16:00 CET to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip. Arab and Muslim countries have criticized Israel's plans as a "dangerous escalation," while the Hamas-led Health Ministry reported that over 61,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the start of Israel's military offensive in October 2023. The situation in Gaza is causing increasing concern, and the international community is urging diplomatic action to prevent further escalation and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
- In the midst of this escalating crisis in Gaza, EC countries such as Germany, Australia, Britain, Italy, and New Zealand have called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, voicing their concerns over the potential violations of international humanitarian law, the looming war-and-conflicts, and the serious risks of a humanitarian catastrophe.
- The international community, particularly political bodies like the UN Security Council and key actors, are urging diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt its planned military takeover of Gaza, given the breach of international law, the violation of Palestinians' right to self-determination, and the direct threat it poses to millions of civilians amidst increasing general-news reports on the situation.
