Israel Gaza City plan draws global condemnation

Global reactions intensify as the UN Security Council prepares a weekend session to discuss Israel's Gaza City plan.

Global condemnation mounts after Israel plans to seize Gaza City and the UNSC meets

Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, a move described by Netanyahu as part of efforts to defeat Hamas. The plan outlines a two-month evacuation window, with a ground offensive expected after October 7, 2025, followed by a siege of Gaza City and then operations in remaining parts of the Strip. Officials say civilians will be evacuated southward, but the plan has sparked fierce domestic and international criticism amid concerns for civilian safety and humanitarian access.

International reaction was swift and broad. The UN Secretary-General called the plan a dangerous escalation that could deepen the already catastrophic consequences for Palestinians. European leaders pressed for a ceasefire, hostage releases, and unhindered aid, while some EU officials warned that the move could strain diplomatic ties with Israel. The United States is expected to block any competing Security Council statement, ensuring that for now the response remains diplomatic rather than punitive. Hostage families in Israel voiced fear of jeopardizing loved ones, and protests outside government buildings underscored domestic unease. Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has already worsened, with aid agencies warning of rising malnutrition amid ongoing fighting and blockade claims on both sides.

The plan exposes a fault line in how to prosecute a long war with high civilian costs. Critics argue that expanding ground operations risks turning Gaza City into a new flashpoint, inviting additional casualties and international backlash. Supporters frame it as a necessary step to curb Hamas and reclaim leverage in hostage negotiations, but the plan’s actual governance after any victory remains unclear. The reliance on evacuation corridors and legal distinctions around occupation illustrate how political calculations can shape battlefield choices. The episode also tests alliance dynamics, as European partners push for restraint while the United States leans on diplomatic channels. In short, this week’s moves reveal a conflict that is less about immediate gains and more about long-term credibility and regional stability.

Highlights

Future steps will reveal whether diplomacy can keep pace with a war that already reshaped this region.