Gaza takeover plan sparks global outcry

JERUSALEM/LONDON — As European and Arab countries condemn Israel's Gaza takeover plan, the United States has signaled its approval despite the expected international backlash.

The decision violates international law, exacerbates Gaza's humanitarian crisis and jeopardizes peace efforts, many have warned.

On Friday, Israel's security cabinet greenlighted plans for a major operation to seize Gaza City, triggering a wave of domestic and international criticism. The takeover is expected to take at least six months, state-owned Kan TV News reported on Saturday, citing senior security sources.

Before the announcement, when asked if he could support such a plan, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday he was focused on boosting Gaza aid to help starving Palestinians. "As far as the rest of it, I really, I really can't say — that's going to be pretty much up to Israel," he said.

Agence France-Presse commented on Saturday that the remarks speak volumes about the US strategy. Since Gaza ceasefire talks fell apart, Washington has broadly embraced Israel's views following US envoy Steve Witkoff's recent visit to Tel Aviv.

On Friday, European Council President Antonio Costa urged Israel to reverse the decision, warning the move would have consequences for European Union-Israel relations.

The next day, the ministerial committee mandated by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza — along with 23 countries, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation — jointly voiced "strong condemnation and categorical rejection" of Israel's intention to impose full military control over Gaza.

In the enclave, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was crushed to death by a falling pallet during the airdrop of humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday.

The death came after the United Nations repeatedly warned that the airdrops are dangerous, inefficient and costly, and it urged Israel to allow a steady supply of humanitarian assistance into Gaza via land crossings instead.

Elsewhere in London, police arrested 466 people on Saturday for supporting Palestine Action at the latest and largest protest backing the group since the government banned it last month.

The Metropolitan Police said it had made the arrests, thought to be one of the highest number ever at a single protest in London, for "supporting a proscribed organization".

Xinhua - Agencies