UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer deems the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to “further escalate its offensive” in Gaza “wrong” and asks the administration to reconsider right away. “This action will do nothing to resolve the crisis or achieve the release of the hostages. “It will only result in more violence,” he warns. “Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions.” What we need is a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, Hamas’ release of all hostages, and a diplomatic solution. Hamas cannot have a role in Gaza’s future and must withdraw and disarm.”
He goes on to clarify: “Together with our allies, we are working on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis.” A diplomatic solution is feasible, but both parties must engage in good faith negotiations to make it a reality.
A minister tells the BBC that the UK government believes Israel’s intention to take over Gaza City was a mistake. “We believe this is the incorrect decision. “We believe it will exacerbate an already intolerable situation and lead to more bloodshed,” says Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh. “We’re hoping the Israeli government will reconsider,” she says. The UK’s objective, she argues, is to continue working towards a truce in Gaza, get more help into the region, and “get the hostages out”.
The opposition leader in Israel believes the security cabinet’s decision to take over Gaza City is “a disaster” that would “lead to many more disasters”. According to Yair Lapid, a conquest of Gaza City will result in the deaths of the remaining hostages and many Israeli soldiers. The idea is “completely opposed to the opinion of the military and security ranks,” he says. As we previously reported, the army’s chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, had warned against the move.
He accuses Netanyahu of bowing to pressure from far-right security cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. As a reminder, the Israeli prime minister’s coalition relies on the support of ultranationalist ministers who have threatened to quit the government if there is any deal with Hamas.
What portions of Gaza are now under Israeli military control? Published at 06:06. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s newly approved strategy calls for Israeli forces to take control of Gaza City, located in the enclave’s north, for the first time during the battle. The city has one million citizens and is bordered by terrain that has previously been under Israel Defence Forces (IDF) control or subject to an evacuation order. Israel claims to control 75% of Gaza, but the UN estimates that 86% of the region is either in militarised zones or under evacuation orders.
Further south, there are areas on the central Gaza Strip, along the Mediterranean coast, that Israel does not occupy, according to the UN.
These areas include refugee camps, where much of Gaza’s population is currently living after their homes were destroyed by Israel’s military.
Netanyahu’s plan to take control Gaza City and ‘five principles for ending the war’
were released at 05:40. Early Friday morning, following a lengthy meeting of Israel’s security cabinet in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement approving a plan to take control of Gaza City. According to the statement, the security cabinet approved the measures by a majority vote and included “five principles for ending the war”. “The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” it states. It outlines the following “principles for ending the war”
1.Disarmament of Hamas
2.Return of all hostages, living and dead.
3.Demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip
4.Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip
5.Existence of an alternative civilian administration other than Hamas or the Palestinian Authority
“An absolute majority of cabinet ministers believed that the alternative plan presented to the cabinet would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of the abductees,” the statement’s conclusion states.
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