Some of Israel’s oldest allies condemned its military offensive into Gaza City on Tuesday, warning that the operation would worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in the territory.
Britain’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, denounced the decision and called the operation “utterly reckless and appalling.”
“It will only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians and endanger the remaining hostages,” Ms. Cooper said in a post on social media, in which she reiterated calls for a cease-fire, for the hostages in Gaza to be released and for aid to enter the territory without restrictions.
Germany also condemned the assault, with the country’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, saying Israel was on “the wrong path.”
“We reject this and have made this clear to the Israeli government,” he said during a news conference in Berlin.
The European Union warned that the bombardment would make the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worse. “Military intervention will lead to more destruction, more death and more displacements,” Anouar El Anouni, a spokesman for the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, said at a daily press briefing.
Sweden said that the offensive in Gaza made it more urgent that the European Union take action to challenge Israel’s behavior. Sweden’s foreign minister, Maria Stenergard, reiterated the country’s calls for the bloc to impose sanctions on “extremist Israeli ministers” and freeze some trade.
The criticism follows months of growing anger at Israel’s conduct in the war. Israel’s plans for the Gaza City operation dimmed hopes for a cease-fire agreement with Hamas and many European countries, as well as Canada and Australia, have said they would recognize a Palestinian state if Israel did not change tack.
Lynsey Chutel is a Times reporter based in London who covers breaking news in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
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