Australia and Britain call on Israel to reverse its plan for military control over Gaza

SadaNews - Australia and Britain have called on Israel to reverse its decision to impose military control over the city of Gaza.

Australia urged Israel to "not go down this path" after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel intends to impose military control over the city.

In a statement today, Friday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: "Australia calls on Israel not to go down this path which will exacerbate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza," according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

Wong added that permanent forced displacement is a violation of international law and reiterated calls for a ceasefire, unrestricted flow of aid, and the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 2023.

She continued that "the two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace, a Palestinian state and an Israeli state, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders."

Australia has not yet joined its Western allies, such as Britain, Canada, and France, who have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, but it stated it would make a decision "in due time," as it increases its criticism of Israel's actions.

Wong's comments came in response to Netanyahu's statement that Israel intends to take military control over all of the Gaza Strip during an interview with Fox News yesterday, Thursday.

For his part, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said today, Friday, that Israel's decision to control the Gaza Strip is wrong and urged the Israeli government to reconsider it. Starmer stated in a statement: "The Israeli government's decision to escalate its attack on Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately." He added: "This action will not contribute to ending this conflict or ensuring the release of hostages but will lead to more bloodshed."

British Energy Ministry official Miatta Fahnbulleh, expressed her country’s hope today, Friday, that Israel will reconsider its decision to control the city of Gaza. Fahnbulleh told Times Radio: "We believe this decision is wrong, and we hope that the Israeli government will reconsider it." She added: "It threatens to escalate an already horrific and unbearable situation."

Netanyahu stated that Israel wants to hand over the sector to Arab forces that would rule it, without clarifying the arrangements to achieve this or which Arab countries could participate in the matter.

After a meeting of the security cabinet today, Friday, Netanyahu's office confirmed approval of a plan to take control of the city of Gaza.