International community, led by Canada, voices disapproval of Israel's intended annexation of Gaza City
The international community has expressed overwhelming criticism and concern over Israel's plan to take full military control of Gaza City. The United Nations, along with several nations, has highlighted the severe humanitarian and legal implications of this decision.
The UN Mission of Panama, holding the council presidency this month, has remained silent on the postponed meeting regarding the matter. However, the UN's top human rights official, Volker Türk, has demanded an immediate halt to the plan, stating that a complete Israeli military takeover of the Gaza Strip violates international law and the International Court of Justice's ruling, which calls for ending the occupation and supporting a two-State solution ensuring Palestinian self-determination.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has halted arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, highlighting the escalation's humanitarian risk and expressing uncertainty about achieving Israel’s stated military goals. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp have publicly opposed the takeover, with Starmer considering it wrong and Veldkamp viewing it as counterproductive to hostage negotiations.
China’s foreign ministry has stressed that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and called for an immediate ceasefire. European leaders collectively warned that the offensive would exacerbate the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 60,000 Palestinians killed already according to Gaza health authorities. They also expressed concern about deepening Gaza’s suffering and Israel's diplomatic isolation.
The international community has raised concerns about the planned military operation's potential for massive civilian harm, increased forced displacement, and further destabilization of prospects for peace. The operation includes relocating Gaza City’s approximately 800,000 Palestinian residents, which has further fueled concerns about forced displacement and mass suffering.
The foreign ministers from Canada, along with international partners Australia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have urged efforts to bring the conflict to an end "through an immediate and permanent ceasefire." They have also called for allowing unfettered humanitarian aid access and for the immediate, unconditional release of hostages, with Israeli arbitrary Palestinian detentions also being criticized.
The Israeli government's plan, as announced, is not to hold Palestinian territory long-term but rather to rout Hamas. The conflict was triggered by Hamas-led militants who stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 people.
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 warns that aid deliveries to Gaza are still "far insufficient." The statement also calls for Hamas to release all hostages without delay and to ensure they are humanely treated.
On Friday, Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a message about bringing stability and peace to the region, but did not mention any potential sanctions against Israel. The UN warns that a large ground invasion in Gaza would likely result in the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. The joint statement from the foreign ministers states that the Israeli plan risks violating international law.
A tragic incident occurred in Gaza as a Palestinian teenager was killed by an air-dropped aid pallet. The international community urges restraint, humanitarian access, and adherence to international law to avoid further escalation and suffering in the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
- The UN's top human rights official, Volker Türk, has expressed his concern that a complete Israeli military takeover of the Gaza Strip could negatively impact the health and well-being of the Palestinian population in Gaza, violating international law and exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis.
- The foreign ministers from Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other international partners have stressed that any potential military operation in Gaza must prioritize general news such as maintaining peace, ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid access, and respecting international law to prevent further war-and-conflicts and the inevitable suffering of innocent civilians.
