Brussels - London: Europe and the Arabs
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Israel's plan to "take over" Gaza City as a "mistake" and called on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to "immediately reconsider" it. According to what was reported by the European news network in Brussels, Euronews, on Friday,
Starmer said in a statement, "The Israeli government's decision to escalate its assault on Gaza is a mistake, and we urge it to reconsider its decision immediately. This action will not contribute in any way to ending the conflict or helping secure the release of the hostages," warning that it "will only lead to more bloodshed."
According to a report in the Brussels-based magazine Playbook, the European version of Politico, "In the early hours of this morning, the Israeli government approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take over Gaza City, the first phase of an offensive that could lead to Israel occupying the entire Strip.
Netanyahu stated in an interview with Fox News on Thursday: "We intend to take over all of Gaza." We don't want to keep Gaza." He added that Israel plans to eventually hand over the Strip to "Arab forces," adding, "We want to liberate ourselves and the people of Gaza from the horrific terror of Hamas." For more, Jacob Wendler.
The report, titled "Promises Made, Promises Broken," states: Although Gaza's fuel supply has improved since Israel signed an agreement with the European Union to boost humanitarian aid, it remains below what was agreed upon, according to a report by the European External Action Service distributed to diplomats on Thursday. According to the report, the amount of fuel currently entering Gaza is "sufficient to support vital life-saving operations, but not enough to operate all humanitarian programs."
Israel's security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take control of Gaza City on Friday morning, as Israel expands its military operations despite mounting domestic and foreign criticism of the nearly two-year war.
"The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside combat zones," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
The statement did not use the term "Occupation," but rather the term "seizure," was used because of the legal repercussions for the civilian population, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.