‘Genocidal Policy’: World Reaction to Israel’s Gaza City Occupation Plan

Several world leaders have strongly condemned Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza City, while Hamas has slammed the decision as a “war crime and an act of ethnic cleansing.”

Aug 8, 2025

The Israeli security cabinet’s approval on Friday of a plan to seize control of Gaza City has been met with widespread condemnation with the UN human rights chief calling for it to be “immediately halted.”

The plan, approved after more than 10 hours of cabinet deliberations, marks the most concrete step yet toward full military reoccupation of the Strip.

‘Contrary to ICJ Ruling’ – UN Human Rights Chief

‘The Israeli Government’s plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza strip must be immediately halted,” UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said in a statement. “It runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-State solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination.”

He added that “On all evidence to date, this further escalation will result in more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction and atrocity crimes. The war in Gaza must end now.”

‘War Crime, Ethnic Cleansing’ – Hamas

The Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas condemned Israel’s decision, saying it was a “war crime and an act of ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians in the besieged territory, the Anadolu news agency reported.

In a statement, the group said Israel’s incursion would “not be a picnic” and warned it would “pay a heavy price” for its military adventure in Gaza.

Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his “Nazi government of showing no concern for the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza,” saying the expansion of the war amounts to a “calculated decision to sacrifice” them.

The group also dismissed Israel’s attempt to replace the term “occupation” with “control,” describing it as a “blatant evasion aimed at avoiding legal responsibility for its crimes” against nearly 1 million Palestinians in the city.

Israel’s Security Cabinet has deliberately avoided using the term “occupation” in reference to the Gaza Strip in its latest official decisions opting instead for “control,” a move legal analysts say is aimed at evading international legal responsibilities toward Palestinian civilians, Anadolu reported.

‘Genocidal Policy’ – Türkiye

“We strongly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to widen its military operation in Gaza, which marks a new phase of its expansionist and genocidal policy,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Every move by the fundamentalist Netanyahu government aimed at perpetuating genocide against the Palestinian people and extending the occupation deals a severe blow to international peace and security, exacerbates regional instability and further deepens the humanitarian crisis,” it added.

“We call on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this plan, which seeks to render Gaza uninhabitable and forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their own lands, and we urge the UN Security Council to adopt binding measures to halt Israel’s actions in violation of international law and humanitarian values,” it stated.

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‘Reconsider Immediately’ – UK

“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, according to a statement from Downing Street. “This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.”

He stated,“Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.

Will ‘Cause Further Suffering’ – Spain

“We strongly condemn the Israeli government’s decision to escalate the military occupation of Gaza, which would only cause further destruction and suffering,” Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on X.

He called for “a permanent ceasefire, the massive and immediate entry of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages.”

“A lasting peace in the region can only be achieved by implementing the two-state solution, which includes a realistic and viable State of Palestine,” Albares added.

‘Gaza Belongs to Palestinians’ – Netherlands

“The plan of the Netanyahu government to intensify Israeli operations in Gaza is a wrong move. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic and demands immediate improvement. This decision in no way contributes to this and will also not help to get the hostages home,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on X.

“A lasting peace in the region can only be achieved by implementing the two-state solution, which includes a realistic and viable State of Palestine,” Albares added.
‘Gaza Belongs to Palestinians’ – Netherlands

“The plan of the Netanyahu government to intensify Israeli operations in Gaza is a wrong move. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic and demands immediate improvement. This decision in no way contributes to this and will also not help to get the hostages home,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on X.

“The Dutch government has always been clear: Gaza belongs to the Palestinians. What is needed now is a ceasefire, much more humanitarian aid, Hamas releasing all hostages and a negotiated solution,” he added.

‘Utterly Unacceptable’ – Scotland

“The decision of the Israeli government to seize control of Gaza City is completely and utterly unacceptable. It will create even more human suffering for the Palestinian people and further escalate the conflict,” Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said in a statement posted on social media, according to Anadolu.

“International community must stop Israel and secure a ceasefire,” he stated.

‘Contrary to Int Law’ – Belgium

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot summoned Israel’s ambassador to Brussels on Friday in protest against Tel Aviv’s plans to occupy Gaza City and expand settlements in the Palestinian territories.

In a statement sent to Belga news agency, cited by the Anadolu news agency, Prevot said Ambassador Idit Rosenzweig-Abu was summoned to “express our total disapproval of this decision, but also of the continuation of Israeli colonization” in the Palestinian territories, adding that the aim now is to “vigorously advocate for a reversal of these intentions.”

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Prevot condemned the move as “inadmissible and contrary to international law,” calling on Israel to reverse its plans. He also criticized the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, including the revival of the controversial E1 project in East Jerusalem and recent efforts by the Knesset to promote the annexation of the West Bank.

“All these cumulative acts, likely to potentially wipe Palestine off the map, are unacceptable and contrary to international law, United Nations resolutions, and the decisions of the International Court of Justice,” the statement said.

‘Deeply Concerned’ – Germany Pauses Arms Exports

Germany sharply criticized Israel’s plans and announced a partial suspension of military exports.

“Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement, cited by Anadolu.

Merz noted that Germany has so far defended Israel’s right to defend itself, supported initiatives for the release of hostages, and advocated for the disarmament of Hamas, backing Israel throughout the conflict.

“The Israeli Cabinet’s decision last night to pursue even harsher military action in the Gaza Strip makes it increasingly difficult, from the German government’s perspective, to see how these goals will be achieved,” Merz stressed.

“The German government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. With the planned offensive, the Israeli government would bear even greater responsibility than before,” Merz added and reiterated his call for Israel to allow comprehensive access for aid deliveries, including for UN organizations and non-governmental institutions.

He also urged the Israeli government “not to take any further steps toward annexing the West Bank.”

‘Would Violate Int Law’ – Sweden

“I view with great concern the decision that the Israeli government has made. We need a ceasefire and this decision risks taking the development in the opposite direction,” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, cited by Anadolu.

“I have previously reiterated that any attempt to annex, change or reduce the territory of Gaza would violate international law,” she added.

‘Serious Concern’ – China

China on Friday expressed “serious concern” over the Israeli decision to occupy Gaza and urged Israel to immediately cease its “dangerous actions.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said “Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory.”

“An immediate ceasefire is the correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. A ceasefire is also the key to a complete resolution of the Gaza conflict,” he said, adding that only this can pave the way for de-escalating the conflict and safeguarding regional security.

‘Ethnic Cleansing’ – Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia condemned the move, calling it a “war crime” and “an act of ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people, the Anadolu news agency reported.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it “denounces in the strongest and most severe terms any Israeli move to control Gaza.” The ministry warned that the plan represents “a clear violation of international humanitarian law” and “a blatant disregard for the Palestinian people’s historical and legal rights to their land.”

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It also criticized Israel’s “inhumane practices,” including the use of “starvation as a weapon and the continued siege of the enclave,” adding that these actions reflect an “extremist policy aimed at displacing Palestinians by force.”

Riyadh expressed “deep concern over the failure of the international community,” particularly the UN Security Council, to stop the Israeli onslaught saying that “such silence contributes to worsening the humanitarian catastrophe and undermines international legal norms.”

‘Unacceptable Violation’ – Egypt

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the decision aims to entrench the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, continue the genocidal war in Gaza, eliminate all aspects of Palestinian life, and undermine the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent Palestinian state, according to the WAFA news agency.

The agency reported that Egypt described the decision as a blatant and unacceptable violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

‘Must be Reconsidered’ – EU

“The Israeli government’s decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered. At the same time, there must be the release of all hostages, who are being held in inhumane conditions. And humanitarian aid must be given immediate and unhindered access to Gaza to deliver what is urgently needed on the ground. A ceasefire is needed now,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on X.

‘Immediately Reverse’ – Denmark

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Friday called on Israel to “immediately reverse” its decision, warning that the move would only worsen the suffering of civilians in the blockaded enclave.

The Israeli government’s decision to “intensify the military operation in Gaza is wrong,” Rasmussen said, according to a statement from the Danish Foreign Ministry, Danish daily Berlingske reported, according to Anadolu. “It will only cause even greater suffering for the civilian population. We therefore call on Israel to immediately reverse its decision,” he added.

Rasmussen stressed the need for “a ceasefire, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, the release of the Israeli hostages and a lasting peace in the form of a two-state solution.” He noted that possible measures to increase pressure on Israel will be “top on the agenda” when EU foreign ministers meet in Copenhagen later in August.

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