World Insights: With tacit U.S. support, Israel's Gaza takeover plan sparks widespread outcry

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- As European and Arab countries on Friday condemned 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.

U.S. TACIT SUPPORT

Israel's Security Cabinet on Thursday approved a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military to "take control" of Gaza City and the surrounding areas.

The Israel Defense Forces will prepare for the takeover while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones, Netanyahu's office said Friday.

Before the announcement, when asked if he could support such a plan, Trump told reporters 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," Trump said.

Then on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that position, telling Catholic TV Network EWTN, "Ultimately, what Israel needs to do for Israel's security will be determined by Israel."

"Trump and Rubio's comments speak volumes about the U.S. strategy: since Israel-Hamas talks on a ceasefire in Gaza fell apart, Washington has broadly embraced Israel's views following U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's visit last week," AFP reported Saturday.

Washington's Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also made clear that Netanyahu's Gaza plan is not America's concern. In an interview with CBS News, he said it'll be up to the Israeli government to decide whether to fully take over the Gaza Strip or not.

"It's not our job to tell them what they should or should not do," he said. "Certainly, if they ask for wisdom, counsel, advice, I'm sure the president would offer it. But ultimately, it's the decision that the Israelis and only the Israelis can make."

As the BBC said Friday, Israel's latest move is "one that, at least so far, the U.S. government has greeted with a telling and collective shrug."

WIDESPREAD OUTCRY

Following the announcement, Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in a social media post that the decision is "a disaster that will lead to many more disasters."

It will drag Israel "into a move that will take months, lead to the deaths of the Israeli hostages, the killing of many soldiers, cost Israeli taxpayers tens of billions, and lead to a political collapse," Lapid wrote.

European Council President Antonio Costa on Friday called on Israel to reverse the decision, warning on X that the move would have consequences for EU-Israel relations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the decision would do nothing to end the conflict or secure the release of hostages, urging a surge in aid and renewed efforts toward a two-state solution.

France warned such actions would seriously violate international law, cause a political stalemate, and threaten regional stability, while doing nothing to improve Israel's security.

Germany has announced a halt to all military exports that could be used in Gaza, while Italy flew 100 tons of humanitarian supplies to Jordan for airdrops into the enclave.

Lithuania's Foreign Ministry said the decision would worsen conditions in the Gaza Strip and said it was working with other EU members on a coordinated response.

In a post on X, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said the decision is "an extension of the Israeli government's extremist policy that uses starvation and siege as a weapon against the Palestinian people."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Israeli move "marks a new phase of its expansionist and genocidal policy in the region."

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said the decision "undermines the chances of achieving the two-state solution and obstructs the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital."

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry called the move an attempt to cement Israel's "illegal occupation of Palestinian territories," continue a "war of genocide" in Gaza, and eliminate all "foundations of life" for the Palestinian people.

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in a statement that the move is a reflection of the Israeli intention to completely occupy Gaza since the start of the war and to liquidate the Palestinian cause.

Gaza health authorities reported Friday that at least 201 people, including 98 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition since October 2023.

Authorities later said at least 9,824 Palestinians have been killed and 40,318 injured since Israel renewed intensive strikes on March 18, raising the total toll since the start of the war to 61,330 dead and 152,359 wounded. ■