Gaza war: Global coalition demands unconditional ceasefire, condemns civilian killings
The statement comes in the wake of renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza, with intensified air and ground assaults reported in Deir al-Balah, a key humanitarian hub.
A coalition of 25 countries and the European Union (EU) has issued a strong call for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemning ongoing Israeli attacks that have killed civilians—including children—seeking humanitarian aid.
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The joint statement, released by the UK Foreign Office and seen by The Eastleigh Voice, was co-signed by nations such as the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
Other signatories include Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management.
The statement comes in the wake of renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza, with intensified air and ground assaults reported in Deir al-Balah, a key humanitarian hub.
Just a day earlier, at least 85 Palestinians were reportedly killed while lining up for flour near the border. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Israeli tanks and snipers opened fire on civilians waiting for aid—a deadly pattern that continues to repeat.
In their statement, the signatories voiced grave concern over the ongoing killing of civilians, particularly children, noting that more than 800 Palestinians have died while attempting to access basic necessities like food and water.
New depths
"The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the statement reads.
"We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid."
The signatories also urged Israel to immediately lift restrictions blocking humanitarian aid in Gaza and allow United Nations agencies and NGOs to operate safely.
"The Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law," the signatories said.
Displaced
While condemning the detention of Israeli hostages by Hamas, the coalition warned that proposals to forcibly displace Palestinians violate international law.
The bloc of nations similarly reaffirmed their opposition to any demographic or territorial changes in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Israel's contentious E1 settlement plan.
"The E1 settlement plan announced by Israel's Civil Administration, if implemented, would divide a Palestinian state in two, marking a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermining the two-state solution," they said.
"Meanwhile, settlement building across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has accelerated while settler violence against Palestinians has soared. This must stop."
Further, the bloc urged the international community to unite in a common effort to bring the Gaza war to an end.
"We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region," the joint statement reads.
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