UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday asked Israel to reconsider its plan to take control of Gaza City, which he branded as "wrong".
"This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages," he said, warning that it "will only bring more bloodshed".
The condemnation came hours after Israel's military announced it will "take control" of Gaza City under a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and approved by his security cabinet.
Starmer's UK government has become increasingly vocal in its demands for Israel to deescalate its war in the Palestinian territory, citing the humanitarian crisis there.
Last week, the British leader pledged that London would formally recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps", including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.
In his statement on Friday, Starmer said Israel's "decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately".
"Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions.
"What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution."
Starmer noted that the UK 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 both sides engaging in good faith in negotiations, that prospect is vanishing before our eyes," he added.
"Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction."
UN asks Israel to immediately halt plan to control Gaza
UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Friday said that "the Israeli Government's plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip must be immediately halted".
"It runs contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realization of the agreed two-State solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination," he said in a statement.
China
China expressed on Friday "serious concerns" over Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, urging it to "immediately cease its dangerous actions".
"Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory," a foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP in a message.
"The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire," they added.
"A complete resolution to the Gaza conflict hinges on a ceasefire; only then can a path to de-escalation be paved and regional security ensured," the spokesperson said.
Turkey
Turkey on Friday urged the international community to prevent Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, saying it was a "heavy blow" to peace and security.
"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," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Spain
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said: "We firmly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to escalate the military occupation of Gaza. 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."
With AFP
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