The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have jointly issued a sharp warning to Israel, threatening “concrete actions” if the country’s military campaign in Gaza continues to escalate and humanitarian aid remains blocked.
The coordinated statement, issued by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, called the situation in Gaza “intolerable” and demanded an immediate end to Israel’s offensive operations.
The leaders criticized Israel’s 11-week-long blockade on Gaza, during which no food, fuel, or medical supplies were allowed in. While Israel has now agreed to permit a “basic amount” of aid to enter the territory, the three Western leaders dismissed the move as “wholly inadequate.”
The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, described the amount of aid being allowed in as a “drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed,” citing a worsening humanitarian disaster. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 53,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began, while 58 hostages remain held in Gaza from the October 7 attack, in which Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
The joint statement from the Western leaders reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, but stressed that the current military actions are “wholly disproportionate” and may violate International Humanitarian Law, particularly due to denial of aid and threats of permanent forced displacement of civilians.
They also condemned inflammatory rhetoric by Israeli officials, warning that forced relocation would constitute a breach of international law.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuked the three nations, accusing them of rewarding terrorism by pressuring Israel to halt its military campaign before Hamas is defeated. He reiterated that Israel seeks to take full control of Gaza, and rejected the leaders’ renewed support for a two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“By demanding a Palestinian state and a halt to our campaign, they are offering a prize for the October 7 attack,” Netanyahu said, while urging European leaders to support Donald Trump’s approach to Middle East peace.
Meanwhile, Hamas has proposed a new deal that may involve the release of some hostages, though talks remain uncertain amid the intensifying violence.
As tensions rise, pressure on Israel from traditional allies signals a growing international rift over the direction and conduct of its war in Gaza, with potential diplomatic consequences on the horizon.