Israel's plan to occupy Gaza will worsen humanitarian crisis - Lithuanian FM

VILNIUS - Israel's plan to seize Gaza City will worsen the humanitarian crisis in this area, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry says.

"We are of the opinion that the Israeli leadership's recent decision will further aggravate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," the ministry told BNS on Friday.

The Foreign Ministry says it is currently coordinating a common position with other European Union countries on the latest decision by Israel's security cabinet, adding that a joint EU response "would send a strong signal to return to the negotiating table and work towards a sustainable ceasefire".

Under the plan to "defeat" Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army "will prepare to take control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside combat zones", the premier's office said.

Netanyahu, who convened his security cabinet on Thursday, said that Israel plans to take full control of the Gaza Strip, but does not seek to govern it.

Germany, Belgium, China, the United Kingdom and the United Nations, among others, have already slammed this Israeli plan, and Turkey has called on the international community to prevent this Israeli plan.

Hamas has stated that the seizure of Gaza City would be a "sacrifice" of the hostages still being held on Palestinian territory.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry insists that long-term solutions implementing the two-state solution will only be found through negotiations, with the support and participation of international partners.

"In our meetings with Israeli representatives at all levels, we urge Israel to ensure, as soon as possible, the provision of adequate and sufficient survival supplies to the population in the Gaza Strip," the ministry said. "We stress that Israel must respect the principles of international law in exercising its right to defend itself and to release hostages still held by Hamas."