International criticism of Israel's Gaza plans

New offensive could violate international humanitarian law

Germany, Great Britain, Italy, New Zealand and Australia rejected the Israeli plans to conquer the city of Gaza. The offensive would exacerbate the humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages and could lead to the massive displacement of civilians, according to a joint statement by the foreign ministries of the five countries. The plan could also constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.

The partners called on the international community to strive for a lasting ceasefire and aid deliveries for the suffering population in the Gaza Strip. They called on the Islamist Hamas to release the hostages immediately.

Two-state solution the only way to peace

The only way to achieve lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians is a two-state solution, according to the joint statement. To achieve this, however, Hamas must be completely disarmed and excluded from any kind of government responsibility. Instead, the Palestinian Authority (PA) should play a central role in a future government in the Gaza Strip. Israel, however, rejects this.

At the suggestion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli security cabinet recently approved an expansion of the military operation in the Gaza Strip and the capture of the city of Gaza. Accordingly, five principles were also adopted to end the war in the Gaza Strip: the disarmament of the Islamist Hamas, the return of all hostages, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control of the coastal area and the establishment of a civil administration that is not subject to either the terrorist organization Hamas or the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Germany no longer supplies arms to Israel

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) then announced that no exports of armaments that could be used in the Gaza war would be approved for the time being.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President António Costa called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision. "Netanyahu's government is losing Europe - completely," the US news portal Axios quoted Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp as saying. "We are behind Israel, but not behind the policy of the Israeli government."

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also condemned Israel's plans to conquer the city of Gaza. The planned offensive represents a dangerous escalation and threatens to further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the sealed-off coastal strip, according to a statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry. It also undermined efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Qatar is an important mediator in the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamist Hamas.

The government of the United Arab Emirates called for de-escalating measures and warned against the spread of violence, tensions and insecurity throughout the region.