International criticism abounds for Israel's proposal concerning Gaza City
Israel's security cabinet has approved a contentious plan for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take control of Gaza City, a move that has sparked widespread criticism and concern from global human rights authorities and international leaders.
The decision comes as Israel aims to dismantle Hamas’s rule and military capabilities in Gaza, following escalations since October 2023 and the October 7 attacks by Hamas. The plan, however, risks deepening a severe humanitarian crisis and violating international law, according to multiple global human rights authorities.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an immediate halt to the Israeli military takeover plan, warning of the risk of massive forced displacement, further killing, and suffering if the conflict escalates. Amnesty International has condemned the Israeli cabinet's decision as "utterly outrageous and revolting," predicting that it will cause additional mass atrocities and exacerbate the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Japan’s Foreign Minister has expressed strong concern that the plan would worsen Gaza’s humanitarian situation, urging a return to negotiations and emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution and full compliance with international humanitarian law. The Taoiseach and the European Council president António Costa have both stated that the decision must have consequences for EU-Israel relations.
The Israeli Defense Forces chief of staff, Lieut Gen Eyal Zamir, has opposed the plan and instead proposed a siege on areas where Hamas remains active, warning of burnout among combat troops. The war between Israel and Hamas, triggered on October 7th, 2023, has resulted in the death of over 60,000 people according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.
The plan to expand Israeli operations in the Palestinian territory could lead to the full occupation of the enclave, but the security cabinet decision stopped short of the full military occupation of Gaza originally under discussion. The war was initiated by Hamas's attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most of the hostage families, has stated that the Israeli government issued a death warrant for the living hostages and a sentence of disappearance for the deceased hostages.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has described the decision as a "disaster" that will lead to many more disasters. Germany has announced the suspension of exports to Israel of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip. The move could expel close to a million residents from their homes, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
In light of these concerns, the international community is urging restraint, respect for law, and focus on humanitarian aid and ceasefire negotiations to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The decision by Israel's security cabinet to take control of Gaza City escalates the political tension, as global human rights authorities and international leaders criticize the move, fearing a deepening humanitarian crisis and potential violations of international law. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and Amnesty International, among others, have expressed grave concerns, warning of the risk of mass displacement, killing, and further suffering.
As Japan’s Foreign Minister, the Taoiseach, and the European Council president emphasis a return to negotiations, Germany suspends exports to Israel of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip, signaling growing alarm from the international community over the potential for additional mass atrocities and worsening humanitarian crises.
