France, UK, Canada demand halt to Israel's Gaza offensive
France, the United Kingdom, and Canada are threatening Israel with "concrete actions" if it does not end the offensive in the Gaza Strip and unblock humanitarian aid. Macron, Starmer, and Carney also announced readiness to recognize Palestinian statehood and condemned forced relocations.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and Canada – Keir Starmer and Mike Carney – have announced that they will not remain passive in the face of Israel's "egregious actions." They declared that if the offensive in the Gaza Strip is not stopped and humanitarian aid fully unblocked, their countries will take "concrete actions" against Israel.
In a joint statement released on Monday, the three leaders acknowledged that Israel was brutally attacked on October 7, 2023, and affirmed their continued recognition of its right to defend itself against terrorism. However, they emphasized that the current escalation in the conflict is completely disproportionate.
In a joint statement released on Monday, the three leaders acknowledged that Israel was brutally attacked on October 7, 2023, and affirmed their continued recognition of its right to defend itself against terrorism. However, they emphasized that the current escalation in the conflict is completely disproportionate.
Macron, Starmer, and Carney expressed opposition to the expansion of illegal settlements on the West Bank and warned of "targeted sanctions" if their expansion continues.
They also condemned the "repugnant rhetoric" of some representatives of the Israeli authorities, who suggested that the conditions in the Gaza Strip would force the civilian population to leave the territory. "Forced and permanent relocations are contrary to international humanitarian law," it was noted.
The statement also called on Hamas for the immediate release of "cruelly held" Israeli hostages and expressed support for the efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt to reach a ceasefire.
The leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada declared their readiness to recognize Palestinian statehood and emphasized their support for a two-state solution, which involves the creation of an independent Palestine alongside Israel. They added that in June, a conference at the UN dedicated to building a global agreement on this issue would take place. The Israeli government opposes the recognition of an independent Palestine.
Tens of thousands of casualties from Israeli bombings
The war in the Gaza Strip began on October 7, 2023, with an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people, and dozens of Israelis were taken hostage.
In recent days, Israel has intensified military actions, interrupting a nearly two-month ceasefire. Authorities in Jerusalem declare that their goal is to rescue the hostages and destroy Hamas's structures.
According to local Palestinian authorities and media, most of the casualties are civilians. Since the conflict began, over 53,000 Palestinians have died. Gaza is in ruins, and the humanitarian situation is dire. After several weeks of blockade, Israel agreed on Monday to resume aid deliveries.
