Monday, 25 May 2026
Source: Reuters
Global outcry as Israel plans full Gaza takeover; leaders urge ceasefire
The Israeli government’s newly announced intention to assume full military control of the occupied Gaza Strip has sparked widespread concern on Friday. Voices from around the world are calling for a pause and thoughtful reassessment, emphasising the need for dialogue and humanitarian focus during this sensitive period.
The Egyptian government has issued a forceful condemnation of the recent Israeli ministerial cabinet decision to develop a plan for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, calling it a grave violation of international law and a further escalation in the ongoing conflict in the region.
In a statement released by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo described the move as an attempt to entrench what it called Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. The statement strongly criticized what it referred to as the continuation of “genocide and systematic destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza,” arguing that such actions undermine Palestinian rights to self-determination and the realization of an independent state.
Egypt further warned that Israel’s policies of “starvation, systematic killing, and collective punishment against the unarmed Palestinian people” would only serve to “fuel the conflict, heighten tensions, and deepen hatred and extremism in the region.” The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Egypt noted, has already reached unprecedented levels as a result of ongoing military operations.
The statement called on the international community, including the United Nations Security Council and all relevant actors, to fulfill their political, legal, and moral responsibilities by acting urgently to halt Israel’s actions and prevent the imposition of facts on the ground through force. Egypt reiterated its unwavering support for the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, emphasizing that “there will be no security or stability for Israel or the region” without a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.
The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said on Friday that the plan runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-state solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination, Turk said in a statement.
"On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes," Turk said.
"Instead of intensifying this war, the Israeli Government should put all its efforts into saving the lives of Gaza’s civilians by allowing the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid. The hostages must be immediately and unconditionally released by Palestinian armed groups."
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said they “strongly condemn the Israeli government’s decision to occupy the Gaza Strip, which represents continued attempts to displace its residents, commit further massacres, and carry out more destruction.”
“We call on the international community, particularly the US administration, to assume its responsibilities and stop this Israeli invasion of Gaza, which will bring neither security, peace nor stability to anyone,” he added.
Turkey condemns in the strongest terms the plan approved by Israel's political-security cabinet to take control of Gaza City, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
It called on the international community and United Nations Security Council to act to prevent the plan's implementation.
The ministry also said Israel must immediately halt its war plans, agree a ceasefire in Gaza, and start negotiations for a two-state solution.
Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid called the decision to send Israeli forces into Gaza City a disaster, saying it defied the advice of military and security officials.
He accused far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of dragging Netanyahu into a prolonged campaign that would result in the deaths of hostages and soldiers.
Australia, meanwhile, urged Israel “not to go down this path” after Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of Gaza.
“Australia calls on Israel to not go down this path, which will only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on Friday.
Wong said permanent forced displacement was a violation of international law and repeated calls for a ceasefire, for aid to flow unimpeded, and for group Hamas to return the hostages taken in October 2023.
“A two-state solution is the only pathway to secure an enduring peace – a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side by side in peace and security within internationally recognized borders,” she added.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday also said Israel’s decision to take control of Gaza City was wrong and urged the government in Jerusalem to reconsider.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately,” he said in a statement.
“This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.”
China also expressed “serious concerns” over Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City, urging it to “immediately cease its dangerous actions.”
“Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire,” they added.
“A complete resolution to the Gaza conflict hinges on a ceasefire; only then can a path to de-escalation be paved and regional security ensured,” the spokesperson said.