The Israeli government has approved plans to expand the war by taking control of Gaza City, despite international condemnation. Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel planned to take control of the whole of Gaza, despite advice on the contrary from his military and the families of hostages, warning that it would put their loved ones in even graver danger.
This morning, Keir Starmer warned Israel against the action in a statement: “The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately. 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. So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section. Can’t see the poll below? Click here
In announcing the government’s intention to take control, Netanyahu stopped short of claiming that Israel would take permanent control of Gaza, suggesting that governance would be ceded to “Arab forces” following the elimination of Hamas.
He told Fox News: “We want to liberate ourselves and the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas.”
He continued: We don’t want to keep it, we don’t want to govern it. We don’t want to be there as a governing body. We want to hand it over to Arab forces.”
Germany has followed the UK’s lead in condemning the move, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcing this morning that the country would suspend the export of arms to Israel that could be used in offensive operations in Gaza.
Merz said in a statement: “Under these circumstances, the German government will, until further notice, not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip.”
He added that intensifying operations in the region, as aid agencies warn that it is on the brink of starvation, would make it “increasingly difficult” to disarm Hamas and return the hostages.
Yair Lapid, the leader of the parliamentary opposition, warned against the moves, claiming that to do so would hurt Israel economically and shrink the prospect of the remaining hostages being released having been held in captivity by Hamas since October 7.