UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that "the Israeli government's plan for a full military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted."

According to the plan to "defeat" Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army "will prepare to take control of the city of Gaza, distributing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones," the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier today, quoted by AFP.

Turk said the plan "contradicts the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel must end its occupation as soon as possible, implement the agreed two-state solution and respect the Palestinians' right to self-determination."

He added that Israel should instead allow "full and unrestricted humanitarian access" and that Palestinian armed groups should unconditionally release hostages.

Israel must also release "Palestinians detained arbitrarily."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Israel to reconsider its plan to take control of the Gaza Strip, which he described as "wrong."

"This action will not contribute in any way to ending the conflict or freeing the hostages," he stressed, warning that "it will only lead to more bloodshed."

Sturmer's government in the UK is becoming increasingly adamant in its demands for Israel to de-escalate the war in the Palestinian territories, citing the humanitarian crisis there.

Last week, the British leader promised that London would officially recognize the Palestinian state in September unless Israel took "substantial steps," including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Sturmer said that "Israel's decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we call on it to reconsider immediately."

"Every day, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, and the hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhumane conditions. What we need is a ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and a solution achieved through negotiations," he continued.

Sturmer noted that the United Kingdom and its allies "are working on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution."

"But without good-faith engagement by both sides in negotiations, that prospect is slipping away before our eyes," the British prime minister added.

"Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both sides must reject the path of destruction," he concluded.

Turkey called on the international community to prevent Israel's plan to take control of the Gaza Strip, saying it was a "serious blow" to peace and security.

"We call on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this decision, which aims to forcibly expel Palestinians from their own land," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. | BGNES