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EU chief says Israel must reconsider Gaza control plan

EU chief says Israel must reconsider Gaza control plan

RTÉ News​2 days ago
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has called on Israel to reconsider its plan to further extend the military's control over the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
"The Israeli government's decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered," she said in a post on X.
She also urged the release of all hostages and the "immediate and unhindered access" for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
"A ceasefire is needed now," Ms von der Leyen said.
The Israeli government's decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered.
At the same time, there must be the release of all hostages, who are being held in inhumane conditions.
And humanitarian aid must be given immediate and unhindered access to…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 8, 2025
It comes after Israel's political security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.
The country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the Israeli Defence Forces "will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones".
Hamas has described Israel's plan as a "war crime", adding that the Israeli government "does not care about the fate of its hostages".
Meanwhile, Germany has said that it will halt the export of military equipment to Israel which could be used in Gaza.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the announcement, reacting to Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City.
The arms export freeze marks a dramatic change of course for the German government, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies.
Mr Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia has also rejected Israel's plan, lambasting it for the "starvation" and "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians in the blockaded territory.
Riyadh said it "condemns in the strongest and most forceful terms the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to occupy the Gaza Strip", in a foreign ministry statement on X.
It added that it "categorically condemns its persistence in committing crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing against the brotherly Palestinian people".
Earlier, British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said that Israel was "wrong" to approve its new plans over Gaza, urging it to reconsider the new offensive.
He insisted that Israel should deescalate, rather than launch the operation.
"The Israeli government's decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately," Mr Starmer said.
"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."
Meanwhile, Belgium has said that it was summoning the Israeli ambassador over Israel's plans to "take military control" of Gaza City.
"The aim is clearly to express our total disapproval of this decision, but also of the continued colonisation," Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot posted on X.
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