Israel is facing mounting international criticism over its plans to escalate military operations in Gaza, following inflammatory remarks from the country’s far-right finance minister who called for the Palestinian territory to be “destroyed,” according to AFP.
The Israeli military has mobilized tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for a broader campaign in Gaza, which one official described as a full-scale “conquest” of the enclave.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas conveyed to her Israeli counterpart during a phone call that the current situation was “untenable.” She urged the immediate restoration of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where a famine is reportedly imminent.
China expressed strong opposition to Israel’s military escalation and voiced “serious concern” over the potential for a wider offensive. Beijing also called on both Israel and Hamas to honor the terms of a ceasefire agreement that collapsed on March 18.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot harshly criticized Israel’s proposed assault, branding it “unacceptable” and stating that it would violate international humanitarian law. Similarly, the UK’s Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, reiterated London’s opposition to the expansion of Israeli operations and warned that any move to annex territory in Gaza would be rejected outright.
Germany’s newly appointed Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, expressed “deep concern” over the situation and announced plans to dispatch his foreign minister to Israel for urgent talks over the weekend.
