In a powerful joint statement issued Monday, the leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, and France strongly condemned Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, warning of “concrete actions,” including targeted sanctions, if the offensive continues.
The statement criticized Israel’s announcement of limited food aid to Gaza as “wholly inadequate”, describing the humanitarian conditions as “intolerable.” The leaders declared:
“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions.”
They acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense but labeled its recent escalations as disproportionate, particularly the weekend’s air and ground operations and the evacuation order for Khan Younis. Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated plans for Israel to “take control of all of Gaza” and suggested encouraging the emigration of Palestinians — a proposal widely rejected by Palestinians and criticized by international observers.
The statement also condemned any further settlement expansion in the West Bank, calling such actions illegal and a direct threat to the viability of a two-state solution and regional security.
“Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a small shipment of baby food and essential supplies did enter Gaza, but aid organizations and the UN have stressed that far more is urgently needed to prevent famine.
The foreign ministers of the three nations also echoed this urgency in a separate declaration, urging immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and calling for UN and NGO-led aid operations to proceed independently and impartially.
