KUWAIT CITY, Aug 9, (Agencies): Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a strong condemnation and outright rejection of the Israeli government’s recent decision to take control over the entire Gaza Strip. The ministry called this move a “flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian law,” characterizing it as a mockery of international legitimacy. It emphasized that this decision would undermine the prospects for a two-state solution and hinder efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Kuwait also renewed its appeal for the international community — and especially the UN Security Council — to shoulder their responsibilities, halt Israeli actions in Gaza, ensure immediate entry of humanitarian supplies, and end policies leading to starvation and further humanitarian catastrophe. Saudi Arabia also responded with the strongest possible language, condemning the Israeli decision as a flagrant breach of international norms and an extension of “barbaric practices and ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Israel’s systematic displacement, inhumane policies, and war crimes, warning that ongoing inaction from the global community, particularly the UN Security Council, erodes international legitimacy and emboldens war criminals. The Kingdom called for urgent sanctions against Israeli authorities and a renewed commitment to the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. Saudi Arabia stressed that peace cannot be reached without a just resolution for Palestine and denounced the regional and international risks associated with further escalation. Israel said Friday it will intensify its 22-month war with Hamas by taking over Gaza City, stirring fears for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, and renewing international pressure for an end to the conflict. Israel’s air and ground war has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine.

The timing of another major ground operation is unclear. It will likely require mobilizing thousands of troops and forcibly evacuating civilians, almost certainly worsening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. An official familiar with the plans to take over Gaza City said the operation would be “gradual” and that there is no start date. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The U.N. Security Council announced an emergency meeting on Israel’s plans was rescheduled to 10 a.m. EDT on Sunday after originally being scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday. The U.N. Mission of Panama, which holds the council presidency this month, provided no details, but Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath and Israel is certain to want to speak at the meeting. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are preparing a new framework that will include the release of all hostages - dead and alive - in one go, in return for an end of the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip, two Arab officials told The Associated Press.