European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday urged Israel to reconsider its decision to take over Gaza City. It came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Friday that the country's Security Cabinet had approved a plan to take over Gaza City. With a majority vote, Israel's Security Cabinet adopted the five principles for "concluding the war": the disarming of Hamas; the return of all the hostages, both the living and the deceased; the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip; Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip; and the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The Israel Defense Forces will prepare for the takeover while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones, according to the statement. "Such a decision must have consequences for EU-Israel relations, to be assessed by the Council," Costa said in a social media post. The situation in Gaza remains dramatic, and the decision by the Israeli government will only further worsen it, Costa said. The two-state solution remains the only sustainable, long-term solution for peace and security in Israel and the region, he noted. On the same day, von der Leyen said on social media that "The Israeli government's decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday that Germany will suspend all exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza. This move marks a drastic change of course for Germany, long one of Israel's staunchest international allies. Between Oct 7, 2023 and May 13 this year, Germany approved defense exports worth 485 million euros to Israel, according to official data released by Germany in June. Hamas on Friday condemned Israel's decision to take over Gaza City, calling it a "new war crime" against the city and its population of nearly 1 million people. In a press statement, Hamas dismissed Israel's use of the term "control" instead of "occupation" as a "blatant evasion aimed at avoiding legal responsibility for its crimes." The group said the decision proves that Netanyahu and his government show no concern for the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza and explains Israel's sudden withdrawal from the latest round of negotiations, which was reportedly close to producing a ceasefire and captive exchange deal. Hamas also called on the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court to act to stop Israel and hold its leaders accountable. SHOTLIST: FILE: Brussels, Belgium - June 27, 2024 1. Various of European Union (EU) flags, Berlaymont building (headquarters of European Commission), pedestrians, security guards; FILE: Brussels, Belgium - July 2, 2025 2. Various of Berlaymont building, EU flags 3. Various of Justus Lipsius building (main seat of Council of EU and of General Secretariat of the Council), Europa building (main seat of European Council and Council of EU); FILE: Berlin, Germany - Date Unknown 4. National flag of Germany, EU flag in front of Reichstag building; 5. Various of German Chancellery exterior; FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021 6. National flag of Israel; FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022 7. Israeli Parliament Knesset building; FILE: Gaza Strip - March 2025 8. Man waving Palestinian flag; displaced people; FILE: Gaza Strip - May 6, 2025 9. Destroyed buildings, flag of Palestine; FILE: Jabalia, Gaza Strip - June 6, 2025 10. Damaged hospital building; FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip - July 5, 2025 11. Various of tents, destroyed neighborhoods, rubble, displaced Palestinians in makeshift tent camp. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]