Canada, Britain, France threaten action if Israel does not stop military offensive and lift aid restrictions

The leaders of Canada, Britain, and France have issued a joint statement warning Israel to stop its military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions. They stated that the denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law. The leaders also expressed their opposition to the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and declared that they would not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that Israel would control all of Gaza despite international pressure to lift the blockade on aid supplies was met with criticism from the Western leaders. They described the level of human suffering in Gaza as intolerable and deemed Israel’s announcement to allow a limited amount of food into Gaza as wholly inadequate.

In their statement, the leaders expressed support for ceasefire efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt and reiterated their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state as a step towards achieving a two-state solution. Netanyahu, in response, condemned the joint statement and accused the leaders of rewarding the genocidal attack on Israel.

The Israeli military’s intensified operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 500 people in the past eight days, with at least 40 people killed on Monday alone. Aid organizations have warned of a looming famine in Gaza, with reports of malnutrition-related deaths among children. Despite Israel allowing a limited amount of aid into Gaza, aid officials have described the quantity as a mere drop in the ocean.

The UN and other aid groups have rejected a U.S.-sponsored plan to employ private contractors to distribute aid in Gaza. The Israeli military spokesperson acknowledged that it would take time to increase the flow of aid trucks into Gaza and emphasized that the decision on the quantity of aid allowed in lies with the political echelon.

As the conflict escalates, hopes for a ceasefire appear to be fading. The White House has stated that President Donald Trump continues to engage with both sides, but sources indicate a lack of progress in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for failing to plan for the future of Gaza and allowing Hamas to remain in control.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The Western leaders and aid organizations have called for an immediate resumption of aid into Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The need for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the resumption of aid distribution are urgent priorities in the ongoing crisis in Gaza.