London: In a powerful show of international concern, 25 countries—including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, and Japan—issued a joint statement on Monday calling for an immediate end to the ongoing war in Gaza. The statement strongly criticized Israel’s military actions and humanitarian policies in the besieged Palestinian territory, reported the Al Jazeera.
“The war in Gaza must end now,” the joint declaration stated, highlighting the devastating toll on civilians and the critical need for humanitarian relief. The signatories emphasized that Israel must adhere to international humanitarian law and allow unhindered access to aid for Gaza’s population.
The statement, released by foreign ministers from more than 20 European countries along with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the European Union’s commissioner for equality and crisis management, condemned the “drip feeding of aid” and “inhumane killing of civilians, including children,” who are struggling to access water and food.
“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” the statement read. It further described the Israeli denial of essential humanitarian assistance as “unacceptable” and urged Israel to fulfill its legal obligations.
Conspicuously, the United States and Germany did not sign the statement.
The coalition of countries also called for an immediate ceasefire and expressed readiness to support a political pathway toward long-term peace in the region. They acknowledged the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 2 million people remain trapped, many of them displaced multiple times.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry—viewed by international organizations as a reliable source despite being part of the Hamas-led government—Israel’s ongoing military offensive has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians. Over half of the dead are reported to be women and children. In contrast, the war began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Around 50 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, although less than half are thought to be alive.
While ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel continue in Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains firm on expanding military operations to pressure Hamas.
The joint appeal from these nations comes amid growing global outrage over the destruction in Gaza and the mounting civilian death toll.
