International allies, including Canada, denounce Israel's intended seizure of Gaza City in unison
The international community has expressed strong criticism towards Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, with concerns over grave humanitarian and legal consequences dominating the response.
On August 7, 2025, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza. This decision has been met with widespread disapproval, including from key international actors and organizations.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) warned that the plan could result in the forcible transfer of over one million civilians, massive destruction, and additional war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICJ called for an immediate halt to the plan and advocated for a lasting ceasefire and the release of hostages [1].
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that the military takeover must be halted immediately as it violates international law and risks more forced displacement, killings, suffering, and destruction. The UN also called for unrestricted humanitarian aid access and the unconditional release of hostages by Palestinian groups [3].
The Government of Japan expressed strong concern that the plan would worsen Gaza's dire humanitarian crisis, urging all parties to return to good faith negotiations towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Japan opposes the plan as undermining a two-state solution and stresses full compliance with international humanitarian law [4].
Various world leaders and regional actors have also criticized Israel's plan, reflecting a widespread regional backlash and international disapproval (details in a YouTube news overview) [2].
Canada, along with international partners, is opposing Israel's plan, with Prime Minister Mark Carney delivering a similar message but stopping short of saying whether Canada would consider sanctions against Israel. The joint statement from foreign ministers of several countries, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, rejects the Israeli decision and expresses concern that the Israeli plan will aggravate the humanitarian situation, endanger lives, and risk the mass displacement of civilians [5].
Israel's cabinet stated that the plan is not to hold Palestinian territory long-term but rather to rout Hamas. However, the United Nations has warned that the move could lead to a dangerous escalation and likely require a large ground invasion and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians [6].
The foreign ministers urge efforts to bring the conflict to an end "through an immediate and permanent ceasefire." The statement also calls on Israel to amend a recently implemented registration system of international humanitarian organizations to ensure they can distribute aid [5].
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, the statement calls for humanitarian assistance to enter the ravaged area as famine is unfolding in Gaza. In response, Canada has airdropped critical humanitarian aid into Gaza [7].
Israel believes around 20 of the remaining hostages to be alive, while the statement also urges Hamas to release all hostages without delay and ensure they are humanely treated [8].
The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss Israel's plans for a new ground operation. The UN Mission of Panama, which holds the council presidency this month, provided no details about the meeting [9].
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians [10]. The international community's reaction centres on the humanitarian risks, potential violations of international law, and the imperative to prioritize civilian protection, aid delivery, and diplomacy rather than military escalation.
References: [1] International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) [2] YouTube news overview [3] United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [4] Government of Japan [5] Joint statement from foreign ministers of several countries [6] United Nations [7] Canada airdrops critical humanitarian aid into Gaza [8] Statement calls for hostages' release and humane treatment [9] UN Security Council to discuss Israel's plans for a new ground operation [10] Gaza Health Ministry reports on casualties from Israel's retaliatory campaign.
The decision to launch a military operation in Gaza by Israel's security cabinet on August 7, 2025, has prompted concerns about the potential impact on Gaza's health sector due to the imminent escalation of violence. The international community strongly criticizes Israel's plan, citing grave humanitarian, legal, and health consequences, particularly the risk of additional civilian casualties.
Political figures and regional actors such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, the United Nations, Canada, and Japan have expressed their opposition to Israel's plan, emphasizing the need for lasting ceasefires, protection of civilians, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and the unconditional release of hostages. The international community also urges efforts towards a diplomatic resolution rather than military escalation, to prevent further harm to the general health and well-being of the populations in Gaza.
