Spain joins calls for Israel to scrap plan to seize control of Gaza

"We firmly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to escalate the military occupation of Gaza," said Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

"It will only cause more destruction and suffering."

He added that "a permanent ceasefire, the immediate and massive entry of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages are urgently needed".

Other nations around the world expressed concern Friday over Israel's plan to wrest control of Gaza City, saying it would only worsen the conflict and lead to more bloodshed.

"This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

It would, he said, "only bring more bloodshed".

"Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP.

"The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the Israeli military plan would help achieve legitimate aims.

"Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he added.

Turkey urged global pressure to halt the plan.

"We call on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this decision, which aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land," said a foreign ministry statement.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on X that the Israeli ambassador had been summoned to express "our total disapproval of this decision".

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the plan must be "immediately halted".

Israel should instead allow "the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid" and Palestinian armed groups must unconditionally release hostages, he added.

"The Israeli government's decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

She called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and "immediate and unhindered access" for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

With additional reporting by The Local Spain.