In Israel, the government's decision to expand the war in the Gaza Strip has met with fierce criticism. Relatives of the hostages are calling it a"death sentence." The plan has also been criticized internationally.
The Israeli Security Cabinet's decision to expand the war in the Gaza Strip has been criticized both in Israel and internationally.
Relatives of the Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas have called the plan a"death sentence" for the hostages. The political leadership's decision is an official declaration to abandon the hostages and will lead them—and Israeli soldiers—to a"colossal catastrophe," the hostage relatives' forum declared. According to Israeli estimates, 50 hostages are still being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are said to be alive.
The security cabinet approved a plan to capture Gaza early Friday morning. Before the meeting began, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US broadcaster Fox News that Israel wanted to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, but not permanently occupy the territory. It was intended to be liberated from Hamas and eventually handed over to other forces.
Demonstration against plan in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
Thousands of people had already protested against the government's plans in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other Israeli cities on Friday night. In Jerusalem, demonstrators gathered in front of Netanyahu's official residence. They demanded an agreement that would see the hostages released. Several relatives chained themselves together in front of the official residence, as seen in video footage. Other demonstrators gathered around a large, unfurled Israeli flag bearing images of the hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Numerous people also gathered in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv. Demonstrators lit a large bonfire in front of the headquarters of Netanyahu's Likud party.
Opposition leader warns of"catastrophe"
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also emphasized the risk to the hostages. In a post on the X platform, he wrote that the planned conquest of the largest city in the Gaza Strip would lead to the deaths of the hostages as well as the killing of many Israeli soldiers. He described the planned capture of Gaza City as a"catastrophe that will lead to many more catastrophes."
Lapid further stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu, despite the objections of the army leadership, had allowed himself to be led by his right-wing coalition partners, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The two ultra-right ministers are advocates of the idea of completely occupying the Gaza Strip and expelling the approximately two million Palestinians living there.
Human Rights Commissioner calls for immediate"stop" of the plan
The Israeli government's decision also met with sharp international criticism. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an"immediate" halt to the project. The Israeli government's plan for a complete military takeover of the Palestinian territories"contradicts the ruling of the International Court of Justice, according to which Israel must end its occupation as soon as possible," Türk stated.
The proposal also contradicts the two-state solution and the"right of the Palestinians to self-determination," the human rights commissioner added. The two-state solution envisions the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully alongside Israel.
Sharp criticism from Turkey
Representatives of several countries have also condemned Israel's plan to capture Gaza City. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision. It was"wrong," Starmer said. The action will contribute neither to ending the conflict nor to the release of the hostages."It will only lead to further bloodshed."
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. She also argued that permanent forced relocation would be a violation of international law. Instead, Wong advocated for a two-state solution, saying it was the only path"to lasting peace."
Turkey strongly condemns the Israeli plans. The Foreign Ministry in Ankara calls on the international community and the UN Security Council to take action to prevent the implementation of the plan. Israel must immediately halt its war plans, agree to a ceasefire, and begin negotiations on a two-state solution. Every step by the Israeli government to continue what Turkey calls genocide and the occupation of Palestinian territories deals a severe blow to global security.
