Israel’s government said the military would “prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid outside combat zones.” Far-right partners of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed the decision, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have cautioned could imperil the remaining 50 hostages; officials believe roughly 20 are alive.
Western backlash
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin would withhold any military gear “that could be used in the Gaza Strip,” arguing tougher Israeli action made defeating Hamas and freeing hostages less likely. Germany licensed about €485 million ($564 million) in arms to Israel from October 7, 2023, to May 13, 2025.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot summoned Israel’s ambassador, calling the planned occupation and settlement expansion “unacceptable and contrary to international law.”
Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Jordan and Saudi Arabia issued similar rebukes, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Israel to reconsider and agree to an immediate ceasefire.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned the move “will only bring more bloodshed,” and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney labeled it “completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Hostage dilemma
Hamas said seizing Gaza City would “sacrifice” the captives and branded the plan “a blatant coup” against stalled ceasefire talks.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the decision “a disaster that will lead to many more,” accusing far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of steering Netanyahu toward “exactly what Hamas wanted.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly warned ministers that occupying Gaza could become “a black hole” of insurgency, humanitarian burden and increased risk to hostages.
Israeli media estimate about 900,000 people now crowd Gaza City after repeated displacement.
Phased takeover mulled
Israeli outlets said ministers debated a phased advance into areas not yet under IDF control, preceded by evacuation warnings. The military says it already holds roughly 75 percent of the coastal enclave.
Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday that Israel intends to control the entire Strip before handing it to unspecified Arab partners under a “security perimeter.”
Israel withdrew troops and settlers in 2005 but kept control over borders and airspace. A full re-occupation would reverse that pullout.
(jh)
Source: Reuters, The Guardian, BBC, CNN