Five foreign ministers have issued a joint statement denounced Israel’s plans to further escalate the ongoing war in Gaza and control the city of Gaza.
Germany, Italy, the UK, the UK, Australia and New Zealand said in a statement that the plan announced on Friday by Israeli security cabinets “will exacerbate the devastating humanitarian situation and put the lives of hostages at risk,” as well as the massive displacement of civilians.
“Efforts to annex or extend settlement violate international law,” the statement added.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that “the worst case scenario of hunger is unfolding,” calling for an immediate end to the war. They also asked Hamas to release the remaining hostages they held “without prerequisites” and ensure that they were “treated humanely and not affected by cruelty and humiliation.”
Israeli objections are also steadily growing, as hostages suffer in captivity. Some hostage families and their supporters carried out massive protests calling for a ceasefire with Hamas, which brings their loved ones home.
“All Israel wants a comprehensive deal and an end to the war,” Einav Zangarkar, mother of hostage Matan Zangarkar, said in a statement Friday. “In order for Israel to ensure the safety of its citizens, it must end this injustice committed on a loved one for 22 months.”
Security ministers of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advanced plans on Thursday against the advice of military leaders, including Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, who warned that the plan would put hostage livelihoods at risk and further expand the troops.
The announcement comes after Netanyahu on Thursday proposed a more drastic plan to control everything in Gaza. Israel already rules around three-quarters of its territory.
Hamas rejected Israel’s plan. “Our widespread aggression against Palestinians is not a walk in the park,” the group said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General is extremely wary of the Israeli government’s decision to take control of Gaza,” Stephanie Tremble, the UN’s Secretary-General, told the press on Friday.
The UN Security Council announced that an emergency meeting on Israel’s plans has been rescheduled on Sunday as it is originally scheduled to be held on Saturday.
International aid drop continues
International powers, including Israel’s allies France, Britain and Canada, have stepped up criticism of the war amid increasing shock over media coverage that shows starvation.
Germany said Friday that it would not allow exports of military equipment that can be used in Gaza until further notice.
Several countries have led coordinated efforts to carry out aid through Gaza, the last resort, as Israeli blockades and military attacks make it nearly impossible to provide assistance safely and contribute to the territorial slide to hunger.
A new atmosphere sent from Italy landed in Gaza on Saturday.
The United Nations and aid groups call such drops costly and dangerous to residents, and say they provide far less aid than trucks.
Many food parcels were scattered across the Mediterranean, or landed in the so-called red zone, with Israeli troops ordering people to evacuate. In either case, Palestinians risk their lives to get flour and other basic goods.
Palestinians will also continue to be killed while seeking assistance in four locations run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Eyewitnesses and UN agencies have called the site a “death trap” as hundreds of people reportedly were killed while seeking assistance, but the GHF continues to insist that no violence has occurred.
The GHF said a new UN route is running near two sites south, bringing together a large group of people dropping off the convoy.
But the UN, partners and Palestinians say that too little aid is coming as months of supplies piled up outside Gaza, awaiting Israeli approval.
And while the United Nations estimates that 500-600 trucks of assistance are needed every day, before reaching the warehouse for distribution, the trucks entering are mostly stripped of supplies by desperate people and criminal groups.