• Spain and seven European nations condemn Israel's plan for Gaza City.
• Joint statement warns of high civilian casualties and mass displacement.
• Critics argue the operation hampers peace efforts in the region.

On August 10, Spain along with seven other European nations condemned Israel's plans to occupy Gaza City, stating the move could significantly increase civilian casualties and forcibly displace nearly one million Palestinians. The foreign ministers of the involved nations issued a joint statement emphasizing that the military operation will only worsen the humanitarian crisis, further jeopardizing lives and hostages, according to Le Monde and The Local.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet has endorsed the offensive, which sparked widespread domestic and international criticism. The joint statement explicitly warned that the planned occupation would pose "a major obstacle to implementing the two-state solution, the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace," highlighting substantial concerns shared by Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia, according to Dawn.

Despite facing backlash and rumors of dissent from within the Israeli military leadership, Netanyahu has remained steadfast in his decision, asserting that the operational plans are vital to ending ongoing conflicts. Meanwhile, various foreign powers, including some allies of Israel, assert the need for a negotiated ceasefire to facilitate the return of hostages and address the humanitarian plight in the region, as noted by Le Monde, The Local, and Dawn.