Middle East: UNSC to meet over Israel's Gaza plan – DW – 08/10/2025
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Sunday to discuss Israel's widely decried plans to reoccupy Gaza City.
Egyptian soccer star Mohamed Salah has called out European soccer's governing body UEFA over a tribute for Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid, who was killed last week in Gaza.
Meanwhile, a majority of Germans back recognition of Palestinian state, according to a new survey.
Here are the latest developments about Israel and the crisis in the Middle East on Sunday, August 10, 2025:
A new poll released on Sunday shows that 54% of Germans support formally recognizing a Palestinian state, while 31% oppose it.
In the July survey by the Forsa Institute for the foreign policy journal , 1,001 respondents were asked: "Should Germany now recognize Palestine as its own state?"
The poll found higher approval in eastern Germany (59%) and among 18–29-year-olds (60%), and those aged above 60 (58%).
Support varied by party, with 85% of Left Party voters favored recognition, followed by Greens (66%) and Social Democrats (52%). Backing was lower among CDU/CSU alliance (48%) and AfD (45%) supporters.
While Germany advocates a two-state solution, it views recognition of a Palestinian state contingent on being as a final step after peace talks.
Soccer star Mohamed Salah called out football body UEFA's tribute post for Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid for not mentioning the circumstances of his death.
The 41-year-old, nicknamed the "Palestinian Pele," was killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Football Association.
UEFA in its post said: "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."
The Liverpool forward and captain of the Egypt national team replied, "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
Read more about how Salah criticized UEFA over its tribute to al-Obeida.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Sunday to discuss Israel's plan to capture and occupy Gaza City.
On Friday, Israel's Security Cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to expand military operations in Gaza City, where half of the enclave's population lives.
The move has drawn global condemnation, with UN chief Antonio Guterres calling it a "dangerous escalation."
European Council members, France, the UK, Slovenia, Denmark and Greece, requested the urgent meeting in New York. Media reports said all members except the US backed the meeting.
The session is set to begin at 10am ET (1400 GMT).
Following Israel's decision, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Australia and New Zealand issued a joint statement strongly rejecting the plan, saying it risks "violating international humanitarian law." They said that a two-state solution remains the only path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz halted military exports to Israel to be used in Gaza.
We're tracking the latest developments in Israel's war in Gaza, as the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Israel's Gaza City plan.
The Israeli government's announcement last week that it plans to expand its operations and take control of the enclave's largest city has caused a global outcry.
In Germany, public opinion is also shifting, after a new poll showed that majority of Germans now support the formal recognition of a Palestinian state.
Stay with us for news, analysis, and explainers on the situation in Gaza, Israel, and the wider Middle East.
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