Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on "Israel" to drop its plans to occupy Gaza, warning the move could worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave and constitute a breach of international law.

In remarks to Guardian Australia, Wong pushed back on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to take control of the entire Gaza Strip. "Australia calls on Israel to not go down this path, which will only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," she said, adding, "Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international law."

"Israel’s" security cabinet, following an overnight meeting on Thursday, approved plans for the "Israel" Occupation Forces (IOF) to take over Gaza City. While the move falls short of total occupation, it is expected to displace tens of thousands of Palestinians already enduring famine.

Netanyahu’s office said the military would prepare to seize control of Gaza City while allegedly providing aid to civilians outside combat zones. In a Fox News interview, Netanyahu was asked if "Israel" intended to “take control of all of Gaza” and replied, "We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there." He added that "we don’t want to keep it," suggesting a "security perimeter" before handing Gaza "over to Arab forces."

Wong reaffirmed Australia’s position, urging an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid deliveries, stressing that a "Two-State Solution", "a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security within internationally recognised borders,"  remains the only viable pathway to lasting peace.

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Political implications for Palestine recognition

Netanyahu’s stated refusal to accept the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s future governance could complicate Australia’s path toward recognising a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and is expected to meet him during the UN General Assembly next month, where Australia may signal its intent on recognition.

Other nations, such as Canada, have tied recognition to Palestinian Authority reforms, including elections in 2026. Albanese faces growing domestic and international pressure to join the global shift toward recognising Palestine.

Greens Senator David Shoebridge said "Israel’s" actions should be a "red line" for the Australian government, calling for sanctions on senior members of the Israeli government and security forces, similar to those placed on Russian officials under Magnitsky-style laws. "Russian-style sanctions on Israel would halt millions of dollars in trade that fuels the occupation and genocide in Palestine," he said.

Israeli cabinet approves new plan to occupy Gaza City

At dawn Friday, "Israel’s" security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to occupy Gaza City, marking the first phase of a broader military operation that could extend to the entire Gaza Strip, according to a senior Israeli official.

The decision followed more than 10 hours of deliberations and signals a significant escalation in "Israel’s" aggression on Gaza.

US officials say Trump has chosen not to intervene, opting instead to let "Israel" make its own strategic decisions. As part of the upcoming offensive, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) are expected to issue evacuation orders to approximately 1 million Palestinians currently residing in Gaza City and surrounding areas.