The UK, France, and Canada have jointly issued a stark warning to Israel, pledging to take “concrete actions” should its military campaign in Gaza continue to escalate in what they described as an “egregious” manner.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in urging the Israeli government to halt its military operations and immediately permit the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Since 2 March, no food, fuel, or medicine has been allowed into the enclave, a blockade the United Nations has warned is having a “catastrophic impact” on civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by accusing the Western leaders of granting Hamas a “huge prize” amid ongoing conflict. He added that Israel would allow a “basic amount of food” to enter Gaza after an 11-week siege but reiterated plans to “seize full control” of the territory.
This limited gesture was condemned by the three nations as “wholly inadequate”, stressing that the withholding of humanitarian assistance to civilians could constitute a breach of international humanitarian law. They labelled the suffering in Gaza as “intolerable”.
Furthermore, the joint statement criticised inflammatory remarks made by Israeli government officials suggesting that desperate Gazans may begin to flee the territory. “Permanent forced displacement is a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” the leaders added.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, a former British diplomat, noted that the volume of aid allowed into Gaza was a “mere drop in the ocean” compared to what was urgently needed.
While reaffirming support for Israel’s right to self-defence, the joint statement denounced the current military response as “grossly disproportionate”.
The leaders also called on Hamas to immediately release the remaining hostages from the 7 October 2023 attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 others. Of those, 58 hostages remain unaccounted for, with up to 23 believed to be alive.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, Israel’s military offensive has claimed the lives of over 53,000 Palestinians.
The UK, France, and Canada reiterated their backing for an immediate ceasefire and a long-term political solution through the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state coexisting alongside Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the call, claiming it undermined Israel’s security. “Demanding a halt to a defensive war and pushing for a Palestinian state rewards the horrific attack of 7 October and invites further bloodshed,” he said. He also called on European leaders to align with former US President Donald Trump’s vision for ending the conflict.
