World leaders and UN officials on Tuesday denounced Israel’s continued operations in the Gaza Strip after it announced that it launched the main stage of its long-awaited ground offensive on Gaza City.


Germany

Germany on Tuesday slammed the ground assault on Gaza City as “completely wrong,” urging instead talks towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

“The renewed offensive towards Gaza City is... the completely wrong path,” said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. “We reject this and have made this clear to the Israeli government.”

UK

British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Tuesday condemned Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City as “utterly reckless and appalling,” calling instead for an immediate ceasefire.

“It will only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians and endanger the remaining hostages,” she said in a post on X.

UN official

The United Nations rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday condemned Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City as “totally and utterly unacceptable” and demanded an end to the “carnage.”

“The whole world screams for peace. Palestinians, Israelis scream for peace. Everyone wants an end to this, and what we see is a further escalation which is totally and utterly unacceptable,” Volker Turk told AFP and Reuters.

“It is absolutely clear that this carnage must stop.”

EU says Israel’s assault spells ‘death,’ ‘destruction’

The European Union warned Tuesday that Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City will add to the toll of death and destruction, and worsen an already “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the territory.

“The EU has consistently urged Israel not to intensify its operation in Gaza City,” EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.

“A military intervention will lead to more destruction, more death and more displacement, and we have been clear that this will also aggravate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and also endangers the lives of hostages.”

Turkey