ALWAGHT- Israel’s US-backed plan to capture Gaza City and forcibly relocate nearly a million Palestinians to designated zones in the south has drawn widespread global condemnation, with world leaders warning of an impending humanitarian disaster and heightened regional instability.
Israel’s war cabinet has approved a military plan to seize Gaza City and extend full control over the Gaza Strip, a move that has drawn strong condemnation from across the world. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “take control” of the entire territory, where over 61,300 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed since October 7, 2023. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation denounced the decision as a major escalation, warning it would intensify genocide, displacement, and siege, and urged the UN Security Council to enforce a permanent ceasefire.
Palestinian factions including Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the plan, warning it could endanger captives’ lives and mark a new phase in what they call a “war of extermination.” The Palestinian Authority labeled the move a “complete crime” that would worsen the humanitarian crisis. The UN, through Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, called it a “dangerous escalation” and demanded an immediate halt, noting it violates international law and the International Court of Justice ruling against occupation.
The European Union warned of consequences for EU-Israel relations, with leaders such as Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen calling for Israel to reconsider. The UK, Germany, France, and other Western allies issued a joint statement condemning the plan as a breach of humanitarian law, while Berlin suspended certain arms exports to Israel. France, the UK, and several other nations warned the move would derail any peace efforts and worsen the humanitarian disaster.
Global criticism also came from China, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Belgium, Spain, and Canada, all condemning the plan as illegal under international law and harmful to regional stability. Many called for urgent international intervention to prevent further displacement, destruction, and loss of civilian life. Some states, like Belgium, went further by summoning the Israeli ambassador to formally protest.
Across these responses, the consensus among world leaders and organizations is that Israel’s decision will deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, undermine the two-state solution, and risk sparking broader instability. Calls for a permanent ceasefire, immediate humanitarian aid, and protection of civilian lives were repeated, alongside warnings that the occupation plan could permanently derail any chance for peace.
