Netanyahu's plan to take over Gaza sparks threat of sanctions from angry allies

Israel is facing a growing chorus of international condemnation and potential sanctions following Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to occupy all of Gaza in a renewed offensive.

- SAM KILEY BEL TREW

The plans, revealed after a marathon meeting with his cabinet, include a total evacuation of Gaza City - said to be completed by 7 October this year - after which the north of the strip will effectively be a free-fire zone for Israel's forces in their final attempt to wipe out Hamas.

Netanyahu's new policy has tested close allies as Israel faces accusations of driving Gaza's 2.1 million people close to famine and as its prime minister is indicted for war crimes.

In Israel, families of hostages held by militants in Gaza and opposition leaders condemned Netanyahu for a decision that they said would put hostages' lives at risk, adding: "We can't leave them in the hands of these monsters any longer."

Sir Keir Starmer denounced the decision as wrong and urged Israel to reconsider the new offensive, or it will "bring more bloodshed". "What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution," he added.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey went further, saying: "Rather than sitting on its hands and issuing strongly worded statements, the UK government needs to take decisive action. Keir Starmer needs to stop the export of all UK arms to Israel - today - and sanction Netanyahu and his cabinet."

Germany, a key European ally of Israel, immediately banned the export of weapons to Israel that could be used in Gaza, a move Netanyahu criticised for rewarding Hamas terrorism.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the ban would remain in place "until further notice" after the "even harsher military action" by the Israeli military made the chances of a ceasefire increasingly difficult.