Lars Løkke calls the Israeli Gaza-plan incorrect

The decision by the Israeli government to "intensify the military operation in Gaza is wrong."

This statement is made by the Danish foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M), in a written quote.

The message comes after Israel's security cabinet early Friday approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.

- This will only result in even greater suffering for the civilian population. We therefore urge Israel to immediately reverse the decision.

- There is a need for a ceasefire, quick and unhindered humanitarian access, release of the Israeli hostages, and a lasting peace in the form of a two-state solution, adds Løkke.

The chances of increasing pressure on Israel will be "at the top of the agenda, when we meet in the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Copenhagen later in August."

The Israeli plan involves the Israeli military taking control of Gaza City. According to several media, Israel will also relocate around a million Palestinians to the southern end of the Gaza Strip.

Friday also saw British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticize the plan.

- This will in no way contribute to ending the conflict or ensuring that hostages are released, says Keir Starmer according to AFP about the plan, which, according to him, will only lead to more bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.

It also sounds further from the British prime minister that Britain urges Israel to reconsider the Gaza plan.

Countries such as China, Norway, and Turkey have also criticized Israel's plan.

The same has Volker Türk, who is the UN's high commissioner for human rights.

The purpose of the plan is, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to combat the militant Hamas movement in Gaza.

Friday saw the Israeli decision lead the German government to announce that it would no longer approve the sale of weapons to Israel that can be used to wage war in the Gaza Strip.

The decision applies for now, said Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier Friday according to news agency Reuters.

It is not clear which specific weapons it concerns.

Merz says that Israel has the right to try to get Hamas to surrender its weapons.

Israel also has the right to work for the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, he said.

However, the German government doubts whether it will succeed with an expanded offensive.

- The German government believes that the harder military action in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli cabinet decided on Friday night, makes it harder to see how these goals can be achieved, said Friedrich Merz in a statement.

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