 "Britain, Canada, France condemn Israel's 'egregious actions' in Gaza, warn of 'concrete actions'")
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada on Monday strongly condemned Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza, calling its actions “egregious” and warning of taking “further concrete actions” if the assault continues and aid restrictions remain in place.
In a joint statement, the three nations criticised the expansion of Israel’s military operations and the ongoing blockade on humanitarian aid. They also took aim at recent statements by Israeli ministers advocating the mass displacement of Palestinian civilians, calling such rhetoric unacceptable.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, “We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,”
“We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank. Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians. We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.”
“We strongly support the efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It is a ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term political solution that offer the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza, ending Hamas’ control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve, and ensure long-term stability in the region,” they said.
The statement coincided with a joint demand by 22 countries – including Britain, France and Canada – for Israel to immediately “allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza”, noting that the territory’s population “faces starvation”.
Impact Shorts
View AllIsrael has kept Gaza in a total aid blockade since March 2, but announced on Monday it would allow a limited number of supply trucks.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said the limited aid access was because “images of mass starvation” in Gaza could hurt the legitimacy of his country’s war.
Israel’s military has stepped up an offensive in Gaza as part of its prolonged response to Hamas’s October 2023 attack that triggered the war and resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Gaza’s health ministry said on Monday at least 3,340 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 53,486.
With inputs from agencies
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