Sri Lanka voices alarm over Israeli push into Gaza City, citing rising humanitarian risks and collapse of peace prospects

August 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has voiced strong concern over Israel’s decision to intensify its military operations by taking control of Gaza City, warning that such action will only deepen the crisis in the region and worsen the already dire humanitarian conditions for civilians trapped in the conflict.

In an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the government cautioned that the move could inflame tensions further and exacerbate instability across the Palestinian territories. The statement underscored the urgent need for restraint and renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire, reiterating Sri Lanka’s support for a negotiated settlement to the long-standing conflict.

The response follows the Israeli security cabinet’s recent approval of a plan to seize Gaza City, a decision that has provoked widespread condemnation from several nations and international organisations. Critics argue the move risks escalating the violence, further displacing civilians, and undermining the path toward a political solution.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also weighed in on the development, warning that Israel’s occupation of Gaza City would have lasting consequences beyond the immediate battlefield. In a statement posted on X, Premadasa said, “If Israel takes Gaza, it’s not just about land—it will shatter the trust that has kept alive the hope for a two-state solution. Countries that once stood united on this principle will begin to drift apart. And once that trust is broken, peace will become nearly impossible.”

His remarks echo growing global concern that a military-first approach could derail decades of diplomatic effort aimed at securing a viable, lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. With civilian casualties mounting and prospects for dialogue diminishing, Sri Lanka joined a chorus of voices urging both restraint and a return to negotiations grounded in international law and mutual recognition.

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