Leaders from Britain, Canada, and France have issued a warning to Israel, threatening sanctions if military actions in Gaza do not cease. They are also advocating for less restrictive aid measures and are increasing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli forces kicked off a new operation on Friday, with Netanyahu stating on Monday that Israel intends to take full control of Gaza.
International experts have raised alarms concerning an impending hunger crisis.
The UK government released a joint statement, condemning the Israeli government’s denial of crucial humanitarian aid to civilians, deeming it unacceptable and potentially in violation of international humanitarian law. They also expressed opposition to any West Bank settlement expansions and signaled readiness to impose targeted sanctions.
In response to the leaders’ remarks, Netanyahu remarked that those in London, Ottawa, and Paris had once recognized Israel’s actions on October 7th and are now endorsing further violence.
He insisted that Israel would continue to defend itself decisively until complete victory is achieved, reiterating demands for the release of hostages and the demilitarization of Gaza as conditions to cease hostilities.
Since early March, Israel has impeded the entry of medical, food, and fuel supplies into Gaza in a bid to compel Hamas to free hostages. This all began after attacks on Israeli communities by Palestinian extremist groups on October 7, 2023.
Western leaders collectively voiced their concerns in a joint statement, emphasizing their long-standing support for Israel’s right to defend itself but deeming the current military escalation excessively disproportionate. They indicated that they would not sit idly by while the Israeli government carried out such actions.
They expressed solidarity with U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian efforts for an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.
Hamas welcomed the joint statement, calling it a “critical step” toward upholding the principles of international law.
According to Gaza Health Authorities, Israel’s military actions have led to widespread devastation in Gaza, displacing nearly all residents and causing over 53,000 civilian deaths.
The conflict escalated following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, mostly among civilians, along with the capture of 251 hostages.
