International backlash grows over Israel's Gaza City offensive plans
The decision marks a major change of course for the German government, which has been one of Israel's staunchest international allies. Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the Israeli military plan would help achieve the legitimate aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the hostages. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he said in a statement.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the plan must be "immediately halted." He said that Israel should instead allow "the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid" and Palestinian armed groups must unconditionally release hostages. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the plan was "wrong" and added that "this action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages" but would "only bring more bloodshed."
'Immediate ceasefire'
Chinese representatives also weighed in on the Israeli army's announcement. "Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory," a foreign ministry spokesperson told Agence France-Presse in a message. "The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire," they added.
Turkey urged global pressure to halt the plan. "We call on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this decision, which aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said: "We firmly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to escalate the military occupation of Gaza. It will only cause more destruction and suffering." He added that "a permanent ceasefire, the immediate and massive entry of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages are urgently needed."
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