ANKARA 

Australia on Friday warned Israel against taking over Gaza, saying such a move will "worsen the humanitarian catastrophe" in the besieged coastal enclave of Palestine.

"Australia calls on Israel not to go down this path," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.

Canberra's call came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led Security Cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza, which has been devastated by Israel's genocidal campaign since October 2023.

"A two-state solution is the only pathway to secure an enduring peace — a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security within internationally-recognized borders," said Wong, according to ABC News.

According to Netanyahu's office, the Israeli forces will prepare for taking control of Gaza City. The latest satellite imagery has revealed that the Israeli military is amassing troops and equipment near the Gaza border, potentially in preparation for a new ground invasion of the Palestinian territory.

Israeli ground operations in Gaza have been ongoing since October 2023, with interruptions during two ceasefires.

The Israeli Security Cabinet also approved five key principles for concluding the war: dismantling the Palestinian group Hamas, securing the return of all hostages—both alive and deceased—demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, ensuring Israeli security control over the area, and establishing a civilian government not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

This new operation by Israel, expected to last at least six months, comes despite Tel Aviv facing mounting outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, where more than 61,200 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Australian, Japanese leaders discuss situation in Middle East

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke by phone Friday with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on the latest situation in the Middle East amid pressure to recognize a Palestinian state.

In a statement, the Japanese prime minister’s office said Ishiba and Albanese also discussed other international affairs, including the economy.

They also agreed to continue contributing together to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Albanese is facing domestic pressure to recognize a Palestinian state as Canberra does not recognize Palestine while its allies, including France, Canada and the UK, have stated their intention to recognize an independent Palestinian state, with formal announcements expected at the UN General Assembly in September.

On Tuesday, Albanese also spoke by phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza.

According to the Japanese statement, Ishiba also welcomed Australia’s recent decision to select the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate for its navy.

Canberra announced Tuesday that it selected the Japanese frigate for the Royal Australian Navy in a deal valued at A$10 billion ($6.5 billion).

Three frigates will be built in Japan, with the first one to be delivered in 2029 and become operational by 2030, while eight others will be manufactured in Australia.

​​​​​​​*Islamuddin Sajid contributed to the story