AMSTERDAM, August 8, 2025 (WAFA) – Amsterdam condemned on Friday the Israeli cabinet’s plan to fully occupy Gaza.
"The plan of the Netanyahu government to intensify Israeli operations in Gaza is a wrong move. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic and demands immediate improvement. This decision in no way contributes to this and will also not help to get the hostages home,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp posted on X.
Veldkamp reiterated the Dutch government's longstanding position on Gaza, stressing the need for diplomacy and humanitarian relief.
"The Dutch government has always been clear: Gaza belongs to the Palestinians. What is needed now is a ceasefire, much more humanitarian aid, Hamas releasing all hostages and a negotiated solution," he added.
A number of other countries joined the chorus of condemnations of the Israeli cabinet’s decision.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Berlin would halt the exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the genocidal war on the Strip.
"The German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," Merz said in a statement.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares also strongly condemned the decision.
"We strongly condemn the Israeli government’s decision to escalate the military occupation of Gaza, which would only cause further destruction and suffering," Albares said on X.
He called for "a permanent ceasefire, the massive and immediate entry of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages."
"A lasting peace in the region can only be achieved by implementing the two-state solution, which includes a realistic and viable State of Palestine," he added.
Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard voiced concern over the Israeli cabinet’s plan.
"I view with great concern the decision that the Israeli government has made. We need a ceasefire and this decision risks taking the development in the opposite direction," she said, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT.
Stenergard underlined that any attempt by Israel to annex or alter the territory of Gaza would be unlawful.
"I have previously reiterated that any attempt to annex, change or reduce the territory of Gaza would violate international law," she added.
In the meantime, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney decried the move as "completely and utterly unacceptable."
In a statement posted on social media, Swinney warned that the Israeli government's decision would lead to increased human suffering and further escalate the ongoing conflict.
Swinney said: "The decision of the Israeli government to seize control of Gaza City is completely and utterly unacceptable. It will create even more human suffering for the Palestinian people and further escalate the conflict."
"International community must stop Israel and secure a ceasefire," he concluded.
K.F.
