Wide Arab and International Condemnations of the Israeli Decision to Reoccupy the Gaza Strip

SadaNews - Arab and international countries condemned the dangerous decisions approved by the Israeli "cabinet" to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip and forcibly displace nearly one million Palestinians from Gaza City and northern areas of the strip to the south.

They considered in statements made today, Friday, that this decision and the dangerous Israeli plans will lead to a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip and will not contribute to ending the conflict, calling on Israel to halt them.

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Israel's decision to occupy Gaza City and expand the war is a wrong decision that will lead to more bloodshed.

Starmer added: "The Israeli government's decision to escalate its attack on Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately."

He indicated that "this action will not contribute to ending this conflict or ensuring the release of the hostages."

Russia

Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky stated that Israel's plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip will be a "step in the wrong direction."

He added that Russia's position is the same as that of most member states of the UN Security Council, which considers this plan to be extremely bad and in the wrong direction.

Polyansky affirmed that Russia condemns this plan, which violates all UN resolutions, emphasizing that the two-state solution is the only option to achieve security and stability in the region.

Turkey

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced Israel's decision to occupy Gaza City, calling for the international community and the UN Security Council to act to prevent the implementation of this plan.

The ministry added that Israel must immediately stop its military plans, agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, and begin negotiations for a two-state solution.

It pointed out that every step taken by the Israeli government to continue the genocide and occupy Palestinian lands deals a severe blow to global security.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that the Israeli government's plan to reoccupy the Gaza Strip contradicts the International Court of Justice ruling calling for an end to the occupation as soon as possible and achieves the agreed-upon two-state solution and the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

Turk added that all evidence so far indicates that "this escalation will lead to more collective forced displacement, more killings, unbearable suffering, meaningless destruction, and atrocities."

He stressed that "the war in Gaza must end now, and a two-state solution must be achieved for everyone to live in stability and peace; instead of escalating this war, the Israeli government should do everything it can to save civilian lives in Gaza by allowing the unconditional flow of humanitarian aid, calling for the release of prisoners and hostages."

Jordan

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the plan approved by the Israeli "cabinet" that aims to entrench the occupation of the Gaza Strip and expand the aggression.

The ministry's official spokesman, Ambassador Sufyan al-Qudah, stated that the Israeli plan is a continuation of gross Israeli violations of international law and humanitarian law, clearly undermining the two-state solution and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state along the lines of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He emphasized that Jordan rejects and condemns this plan, which is an extension of the Israeli government's extremist policy that uses starvation and siege as weapons against the Palestinian people, in addition to its continued systematic targeting of civilian objects, hospitals, and schools, in clear violation of legitimate resolutions and the Geneva Convention concerning the protection of civilians in wartime 1949.

Al-Qudah pointed out that the occupation of the Gaza Strip undermines international efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement and ending the humanitarian suffering in the area, stressing the need for Israel, the occupying power, to comply with its obligations under international law, especially humanitarian law, to stop its aggression on Gaza immediately and open crossings to allow sufficient and immediate aid into the area that is suffering an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe due to the aggression.

He called on the international community to bear its legal and moral responsibilities, and the need to take an effective stance that stops the Israeli aggression on Gaza immediately and meets the Palestinian people's rights to establish their independent state on their national soil, as the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security and stability in the region.

Finland

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen expressed her "concern over the Israeli decision to approve a plan to occupy Gaza City and expand military operations despite growing criticism at home and abroad regarding the destructive war that has been ongoing for nearly two years."

Valtonen said, "We believe it is very important now to keep the possibilities of a two-state solution alive, even though it seems extremely difficult at the moment."

The Netherlands

Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Veldkamp stated, "Israel's plan to intensify operations in Gaza is a wrong step."

He added, "The Netanyahu government's plan to intensify Israeli operations in Gaza is a wrong step; the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and requires immediate improvement; this decision does not contribute in any way to that, nor will it help in the return of the hostages."

Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that his government will not approve the export of any military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice, in response to Israel's plan to expand its aggression.

Merz called for a ceasefire in Gaza and expressed concern over the suffering of the citizens in the area.

Spain

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares strongly condemned Israel's decision to expand its occupation in the Gaza Strip.

He stated, "We strongly condemn the Israeli government’s decision to expand its military occupation of Gaza," stressing that this decision will lead to more destruction and pain, emphasizing the necessity of a permanent ceasefire and the immediate and broad flow of humanitarian aid to the area, and the release of all prisoners.

He affirmed that "a final peace in the region can only be achieved through the establishment of a two-state solution, including a viable and real Palestine."

The Arab League

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit condemned the Israeli "cabinet's" unanimous approval of the complete reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.

Aboul Gheit emphasized that the time has come for a firm international stance to stop this bloody saga.

He considered the plan a real reflection of the Israeli intentions and objectives since the beginning of the war, which consist of fully reoccupying the strip and expelling as many of its inhabitants as possible, which the Arab side unequivocally rejects, and which the whole world also rejects and condemns.

He also stressed that the occupying government has become unaware of the extent of the isolation it faces internationally as a result of its ongoing genocide for nearly two years, and that the poles of the Israeli government are driven by extremely extremist ideologies or narrow self-interests.

Sweden

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated that the Israeli government's decision to escalate its attacks on the Gaza Strip violates international law, expressing concern over the decision aimed at occupying the entire area.

She criticized Israel's decision to occupy Gaza completely, pointing out that attempts to annex, alter, or reduce the territory of Gaza contradict international law.

She added, "I am deeply concerned about the decision made by the Israeli government, for while we need a ceasefire now, this decision comes in completely the opposite direction."

She continued, "The Israeli government's decision to escalate its attacks on Gaza violates international law. We are concerned about this decision."

Scotland

Scottish Prime Minister John Swinney expressed his country’s rejection of the Israeli government’s expansion of its occupation in the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to stop Tel Aviv at its limits.

Swinney added: "The Israeli government’s decision to seize Gaza is completely unacceptable. This decision will exacerbate the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people and escalate the conflict," emphasizing that the international community must curb Israel and ensure a ceasefire.

Belgium

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxim Prevot summoned the Israeli ambassador in Brussels regarding Tel Aviv's plan to fully occupy Gaza City.

According to the Belgian news agency, Prevot summoned the ambassador Edith Rosenweig-Abu to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the approval of the Israeli occupation government's plan to occupy what remains of the Gaza Strip.

Prevot stated that Belgium condemns Israel's decision, considering it unacceptable and contrary to international law, criticizing the actions of colonizers seizing occupied Palestinian lands.

He added: "All these practices that may lead to erasing Palestine from the map are rejected and are all contrary to international law and UN resolutions and the International Court of Justice."

Denmark

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that Israel's decision to "control" the Gaza Strip is wrong and must be reversed immediately.

He added that the military plan for the occupation will begin with the displacement of citizens from Gaza City to the south, followed by encircling the city and then carrying out additional incursions into residential gathering centers.

President of the European Commission

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called on the Israeli occupying government to reconsider its plan to control the Gaza Strip.

She stated, "The Israeli government must reconsider its decision to expand its military operation in Gaza."

She emphasized the need to provide immediate and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid to Gaza to deliver what is urgently needed on the ground, confirming that a ceasefire is now essential.

Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to occupy the Gaza Strip, and categorically condemned its ongoing crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "The inhumane ideas and decisions adopted by the Israeli occupation authorities without restraint reaffirm that they do not comprehend the emotional, historical, and legal connection of the Palestinian people to this land, and that the Palestinian people have rights to it, based on international laws and humanitarian principles."

Moreover, the Kingdom warned that the continued failure of the international community and the Security Council to immediately stop the Israeli attacks and violations undermines the foundations of the international system and international legitimacy, threatens regional and global security and peace, and forebodes dire consequences that encourage practices of genocide and forced displacement.

Saudi Arabia affirmed that these continuing Israeli crimes necessitate the international community today to take firm, decisive, and deterrent stances that end the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the Palestinian people and enable the achievement of a solution agreed upon by peace-loving nations through the implementation of the two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the relevant UN resolutions.

The Muslim World League

The Muslim World League condemned the Israeli government's plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip.

The Secretary-General, head of the Islamic Scholars Authority, Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, denounced this dangerous decision that undermines all chances of ending the war and establishing peace, which is an extension of the occupation government's policies of disregarding the lives and dignity of the Palestinian people, and continues to violate humanitarian values and international laws and norms in the occupied Palestinian territories.

He warned of the catastrophic consequences of this decision, in light of what the people of the strip are enduring from siege, starvation, and displacement, reiterating the League's urgent call for the international community to shoulder its moral and legal responsibilities and stand up seriously and sincerely to stop the war machine led by the occupying government, and to end one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in our contemporary world.

Egypt

The Arab Republic of Egypt condemned the Israeli decision to implement a plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip.

Egypt, in a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that this decision aims to entrench Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, continue the genocide war in Gaza, destroy all aspects of Palestinian life, undermine its right to self-determination, establish its independent state, and eliminate the Palestinian cause, in a blatant and unacceptable violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

It renewed its confirmation that Israel's continued policy of starvation, systematic killing, and genocide against the unarmed Palestinian people will only exacerbate the conflict, increase tension, and deepen hatred and extremism in the region, which has already been aggravated by the Israeli onslaught on Gaza and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe left in the region.

Egypt called on the international community, including the Security Council and all concerned parties, to fulfill their political, legal, and moral responsibilities and take urgent action to stop the bullying and arrogance of force practiced by Israel, which aims to impose a fait accompli by force, undermine opportunities for achieving peace, and eliminate prospects for a two-state solution.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry affirmed that no security or stability will be enjoyed by Israel and the region except through the establishment of the Palestinian state along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Israeli "cabinet" approved earlier today, Friday, the reoccupation of Gaza City and the expansion of aggression in the strip.

According to Israeli media, the "cabinet" unanimously approved a "military plan that grants Benjamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, the authority to approve military plans."

They added that the military plan for occupation will begin by displacing citizens from Gaza City to the south, followed by encircling the city and then carrying out additional operations into residential gathering centers.

The military plan aligns with the demand of the far-right finance minister in the occupation government, Bezalel Smotrich, to occupy the Gaza Strip and build settlements in it.

During the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, the occupation forces have occupied almost all of Gaza City except for a few areas and remained there for several months before withdrawing from most of the areas in April 2024.

So far, the genocide has resulted in 61,258 martyrs and 152,045 injured, most of them being children and women, and over 9,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and famine that has claimed the lives of many including dozens of children.