France Joins Arab and European Leaders in Condemning Israel’s Gaza Reoccupation Plan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – France on Friday condemned the Israeli government’s plan to establish military control over Gaza City, warning that the move would deepen the conflict and undermine prospects for a lasting peace.

the foreign ministry said in a statement posted to social media., “Such actions would constitute further serious violations of international law and lead to a complete dead end.” The ministry warned the plan would “undermine the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians to live in peace within a viable, sovereign and contiguous state, and pose a threat to regional stability.”

International Outcry Over Gaza Takeover

Israel’s decision to launch a military takeover of Gaza City has ignited sweeping condemnation from Arab leaders, European allies, and the United Nations. The move also exposed deep divisions within Israel’s own political and military leadership.

The plan, approved by Israel’s security cabinet, was denounced by Palestinian leadership as a “new crime” and by the United Kingdom as “wrong.” Germany announced an unprecedented suspension of arms exports for use in Gaza, while hostage families inside Israel warned the decision would endanger the lives of their relatives.

According to the Times of Israel, the cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal overnight Thursday-Friday to seize control of the densely populated city, disregarding IDF warnings about the risks to the 20 hostages believed to be alive. Residents have been given until Oct. 7, 2025, to evacuate, with plans to later expand operations beyond Gaza City.

Netanyahu’s office outlined a five-point plan to “defeat Hamas” and “conclude the war,” including disarming the group, returning all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, taking security control, and establishing “an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.” Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and ignoring the hostages’ fate.

Sky News Arabia reported that Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in a call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the Israeli plan and reiterated their firm rejection. King Abdullah warned the move would undermine the two-state solution and jeopardize ceasefire efforts, while President Sisi emphasized empowering the Palestinian state to assume full responsibilities in Gaza, including security.

President Abbas called the decision “a new crime to be added to the series of Israeli crimes.”

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia condemned the move and rejected what it described as Israel’s “ongoing crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing,” warning that inaction by the international community “undermines the foundations of the international order.”

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Berlin would halt weapons exports to Israel for use in Gaza “until further notice,” citing the expanded offensive. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the plan “wrong” and said it “will only bring more bloodshed.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described it as “utterly abhorrent” and accused Netanyahu of pursuing “ethnic cleansing.”

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen urged Israel to “reconsider” and said “a ceasefire is needed now.” European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera told Politico that Israel’s actions “look very much” like genocide. Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador to express “total disapproval,” while Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp called the plan “a wrong move” but ruled out recognizing a Palestinian state for now, noting the war was eroding Israel’s own security.

The UK’s warning that it could recognize a Palestinian state by September has placed it at odds with the United States. US Vice President JD Vance, speaking in London, said, “We have no plans to recognise a Palestinian state… given the lack of functional government there.”

IDF Chief: Gaza Plan Will Be Executed “In the Best Way”

Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Friday that the army would execute the Gaza occupation plan “in the best way,” despite reports he had warned of its implications, particularly for hostages held by Hamas.

According to a military statement, Zamir told commanders: “We are dealing with the new plan, we will deepen its planning, and we will prepare at the highest level as we have done every time in the past.” He pledged to maintain readiness for both the state’s security and the safe return of hostages, alongside the goal of eliminating Hamas. “As the battle develops, the army will work to preserve the lives of the hostages,” he said.