7 European states oppose Israel’s renewed Gaza operation

Seven European countries announced on Friday their opposition to Operation “Gideon’s Chariots,” the Israeli military’s intensified campaign in Gaza targeting the Hamas terrorist organization.

Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Norway, Malta, and Luxembourg argued that the renewed military offensive threatens to undermine any prospects for a viable two-state solution. These nations are among the most outspoken European critics of Israel.

"A further military escalation in Gaza will only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten the lives of the hostages that remain in captivity," the European countries argued in a diplomatic attempt to make Israel reconsider its military plans in Gaza.

"This [expanded operation] would mean crossing yet another line, marking a dangerous new escalation and jeopardizing any prospects of a viable two-state solution," the European states said. Their statement did not address the fact that both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have, at various points, opposed or rejected proposals for a two-state solution.

The countries also expressed opposition to a “demographic or territorial change” in Gaza.

"We firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any scheme that would force or facilitate the permanent displacement of its population, which would be in violation of international law.”

"We also strongly oppose a system that does not ensure that the entire population gets access to humanitarian aid. Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people," the statement continued.

"Today I joined the leaders of Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain to express our grave concern on the situation in Gaza," Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden stated. "Whether in Gaza, Ukraine or in other conflicts, international law and the protection of civilians must be applied universally.”

Israel announced earlier this week that the purpose of Operation Gideon’s Chariots aims to achieve its stated war objectives against Hamas. The government added that it would authorize the operation if Hamas failed to release the remaining Israeli hostages before the conclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East.

A senior Israeli defense official recently explained the new Israeli battle plan in Gaza:

“A central component of the plan is the broad evacuation of the entire Gazan population out of the war zones, including northern Gaza, to areas of southern Gaza, while creating a separation between them and Hamas terrorists, to give the IDF operational freedom of action,” the official stated.

Unlike previous Israeli military operations in Gaza, the new military plan calls for holding captured territory until Hamas is defeated as a military and political power in Gaza.

The leaders of the European countries critical of Israel appeared to ignore the fact that Hamas terrorists endanger the lives of Gazan civilians by using them as human shields and Israel seeks to minimize civilian casualties by bringing civilians out of the dangerous war zones. Furthermore, a recent poll revealed that more than 50% of Gaza’s population would consider leaving if offered the opportunity to do so.

The United States is reportedly promoting a new plan aiming to relocate one million Gazans to Libya.

U. S. President Donald Trump has previously described Gaza as unlivable and expressed his intention to support its reconstruction in a post-Hamas future.

On Friday, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) confirmed that it had launched the new military operation in Gaza.

"Over the past 24 hours, the IDF has launched extensive strikes and deployed forces to seize key areas within the Gaza Strip," the IDF stated, adding that these military actions constituted a "part of the opening maneuvers of Operation 'Gideon’s Chariots' and the expansion of the campaign in Gaza."