Israel's Security Cabinet approved a military offensive to occupy Gaza City, going against IDF Chief of Staff recommendations. The decision has provoked significant backlash from European and Arab nations, with Germany imposing a partial arms embargo on Israel. Estimates indicate that around 1 million Palestinians are to be displaced from Gaza City as part of the operation. The offensive's goals include evacuating civilians and imposing a siege on remaining Hamas militants, escalating tensions amid calls for ceasefires and negotiations.
Netanyahu's cabinet is losing Europe - totally. We stand with Israel, but not with the policy of the Israeli government," Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told Axios.
The goal is to evacuate all Palestinian civilians from Gaza City to the central camps and other areas in the Gaza strip by October 7. A siege will be imposed on the Hamas militants who remain in Gaza City, and at the same time, a ground offensive will be carried out in Gaza City," a senior Israeli official told Axios.
Merz said the Israeli offensive "makes it increasingly difficult to see" how a ceasefire, a release of hostages and the disarming of Hamas can be achieved.
Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.
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