Israel gives green light to seizing Gaza City control, intensifying conflict
In a move that has sparked international condemnation, Israel's political-security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The decision, made despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over a two-year-old war, aims to eradicate Hamas militants and expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The enclave of Gaza is currently shattered, with images of starving Palestinian children being highlighted as part of this outcry. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for the immediate halt of this plan, warning that it contradicts international law and will lead to massive forced displacement, further killings, widespread suffering, and atrocity crimes.
The UN's urgent call to stop the military takeover is not an isolated voice. Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany has announced that no exports of military equipment to the Gaza Strip will be approved, due to Israel's plan to expand military operations there. The international community's concern is not only about the potential humanitarian catastrophe but also about promoting peaceful coexistence.
The military has also warned that a total takeover could jeopardise the lives of remaining hostages. Despite these concerns, far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza.
However, it's not all about military action. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have also pledged to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside combat zones in Gaza. This move, while a step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis, does little to alleviate the fears of international actors who see the military takeover as a violation of international law and a potential disaster for the civilian population.
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that prioritises the safety and well-being of all civilians involved.
The international community, led by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, expresses concern over Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, arguing that it contravenes international law and risks massive forced displacement, killings, suffering, and atrocity crimes. News outlets cover not only the prospect of war-and-conflicts but also the politics involved, as discussions about military operations in the Gaza Strip extend to general-news discussions on peaceable coexistence.
