Diplomatic tensions rise over Gaza plan

France pushes for a UN backed stabilization mission in Gaza while Italy signals possible sanctions.

France and Italy condemn Israel's Gaza plan and consider sanctions

France's president Emmanuel Macron condemned Israel's plan to seize Gaza City and urged a UN backed stabilization mission, arguing the move could push the conflict toward permanent war and endanger hostages and civilians. He pressed the Security Council to act and said his teams would work with partners without delay. Israel has said its military would take Gaza City, a move that drew swift international criticism as the war nears the two-year mark and humanitarian needs rise.

Israel says it aims to finish the job against Hamas and maintain control of most of Gaza. The Gaza toll cited by the Hamas run health ministry is more than 61,000 Palestinians killed, with about 251 hostages and around 450 Israeli soldiers killed. Macron and other European leaders warn that the operation risks a broader, long term catastrophe for civilians and regional stability while calling for safeguards and oversight.

France is using moral and legal language to push back on a military plan that could escalate violence. The push for a UN stabilized mission signals a preference for international oversight over unilateral action, but it also raises questions about enforcement and funding in a highly volatile theater.

Italy's stance, voiced by defense minister Guido Crosetto, adds to the pressure by contemplating sanctions and emphasizing the difference between governments and peoples. This debate exposes a widening fault line in Western diplomacy, where humanitarian concerns clash with security strategies and political considerations at home. The coming days will test how quickly diplomatic channels can convert rhetoric into concrete steps and how foreign publics respond to potential sanctions.

Highlights

Diplomacy now faces the test of turning words into action.