The United Nations human rights chief is amongst a number of international leaders condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for the Israeli navy to take over Gaza Metropolis and develop its management of Gaza. The plan, which was accredited by Israel’s Safety Cupboard in a single day, would see an enlargement of navy operations in Gaza regardless of rising criticism at house and overseas.
“The Israeli Government’s plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza strip must be immediately halted,” Volker Türk mentioned in an announcement Friday.
“On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes,” Türk mentioned.
U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned in an announcement that the Israeli plan was “wrong.” He mentioned it might “do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages.”
“It will only bring more bloodshed,” Starmer mentioned.
Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned in a single day Friday that “the IDF will prepare for taking control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside the combat zones.”
In an announcement, the prime minister’s workplace additionally mentioned 5 new rules had been adopted for concluding the conflict in Gaza: disarming Hamas, returning all of the hostages, “the demilitarization” of Gaza, “Israeli security control” in Gaza, and “the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.”
Folks watch as a plume of smoke rises throughout an Israeli strike on Gaza Metropolis’s southern al-Zeitoun neighborhood on Aug. 8, 2025.
BASHAR TALEB/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned Friday that, due to the plan, Germany won’t approve the export of any navy tools that might be utilized in Gaza till additional discover.
Merz mentioned whereas it was Israel’s proper to disarm Hamas and search the discharge of the hostages, “the German government believes that the even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved.”
Far-right members of Netanyahu’s authorities have been pushing for the overall takeover of Gaza by Israel, although the Israeli navy has warned that might jeopardize the lives of the roughly 20 surviving hostages being held there. There have been widespread protests in Israel in opposition to the plan, as nicely.
The group representing the households of these hostages condemned the choice Friday.
“Last night’s cabinet decision to pursue occupation of the Gaza Strip means abandoning the hostages, while completely ignoring the repeated warnings from military leadership and the clear will of the majority of the Israeli public,” the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board mentioned. “Our government is leading us toward a colossal catastrophe for both the hostages and our soldiers. The cabinet chose last night to embark on another march of recklessness, on the backs of the hostages, the soldiers, and Israeli society as a whole.”
Hamas additionally condemned the choice, saying it “constitutes a new war crime.”
“We remain committed to taking all steps necessary to pave the way for an agreement, including advancing toward a comprehensive deal that ensures the release of all occupation prisoners in one batch — leading to an end to the war and the withdrawal of occupation forces,” Hamas mentioned in an announcement. “We warn the criminal occupation that this reckless venture will come at a high cost and will not be a walk in the park.”
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