The Israeli government announcement about a new military plan for the Gaza Strip is reverberating on the international scene.
On Friday (8), German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that his government will suspend the exports to Israel of arms that could be used in the Gaza Strip.
“Under these circumstances, the federal government will not approve, until second order, no export of military equipment that can be used in the Gaza Strip,” Merz emphasized in an unprecedented decision for a German government.
In the statement, the chancellor stated that the plan does not show how Israel intends to achieve the objectives of disarming Hamas, ensuring hostage release, and quickly starting ceasefire negotiations.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke to Israel to reconsider the decision.
In the X, she wrote: “The decision of the Israeli government to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered. At the same time, there must be the release of all hostages, which are being kept in inhuman conditions. And humanitarian aid must have immediate and unrestricted access to Gaza to deliver what is urgently necessary in the ground. A ceasefire is now necessary.”
Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador on Friday to express its rejection of the plan announced by Israel to occupy the city of Gaza and take on military control of the enclave.
In a statement, the Belgian Foreign Ministry said the country wanted to “express total disapproval of this decision, but also of continuous colonization … and the desire to attach the West Bank.” In the note, the Belgian government added that “it will vigorously defend” the reversal of the decision.
Saudi Arabia called “ethical cleaning” the new measure of the Israeli government. “We condemn the strongest and most energetic terms of Israeli occupation authorities to occupy the Gaza Strip,” says a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in X.
In the publication, Riyadh adds that “categorically condemns his persistence in committing hunger crimes, brutal practices and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian brother.”
A spokesman for the China Foreign Ministry said in a note sent to AFP which Beijing received with “concern” the announcement of the plan.
“Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory. The correct way to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to ensure the liberation of hostages is an immediate ceasefire,” the spokesman added.
Turkey has appealed to the international community and the United Nations Security Council to prevent the implementation of the plan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that each step of the Israeli government to “force the Palestinians of their own land” represents a hard blow to global security.
Reaction within Israel
Families of Israeli hostages who remain detained by terrorists in the Gaza Strip have classified the plan as “reckless” and demanded an agreement with Hamas to free their loved ones.
“Our government is leading us to a colossal catastrophe for hostages and our soldiers. The (security) office has decided to embark on a new march of recklessness on the back of hostages, soldiers and Israeli society,” said the hostage families and missing people in a statement.
Commanders of the Israeli Armed Forces have been reluctant to this plan, which involves operating in places where there are hostages (20 living and 30 dead), for fear that terrorists will perform them in the face of troop advances, as happened at the end of August 2024 with six captives, which were found on September 1.
Hamas warned Israel on Friday that expanding its operations in the Gaza range means “sacrificing” hostages still kept in the enclave.
