On May 19, 2025, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement warning Israel to cease its renewed military offensive in Gaza and to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. The leaders condemned Israel's blockade preventing essential supplies from entering Gaza, labeling it potentially in violation of international humanitarian law. They expressed opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and emphasized that, if these concerns are not addressed, they are prepared to take further action, including imposing targeted sanctions on Israel.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described Israel's actions as "egregious" and demanded an immediate end to the renewed military offensive and restrictions on aid. They warned of potential targeted sanctions and urged Israel to halt the construction of illegal settlements that compromise the potential for a Palestinian state and overall regional security.
In response to mounting international pressure, Israel allowed limited humanitarian aid to enter Gaza for the first time in nearly three months. However, the aid—comprising a few trucks carrying baby food and medical supplies—was deemed grossly insufficient by the United Nations, which calls for 500 trucks daily to meet the needs of the population. The World Health Organization warned that two million Gazans face starvation, with lethal shortages of food and medical supplies exacerbated by Israeli blockades.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will assume total control of Gaza amid growing international condemnation. Despite allowing minimal aid into Gaza, Netanyahu insists on full control of the region and encourages the voluntary emigration of its population—an idea rejected by Palestinians. The conflict, ignited by deadly Hamas attacks in October 2023, has resulted in over 53,000 Palestinian deaths and mass displacement.
The joint statement from the UK, France, and Canada underscores the increasing international pressure on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza and to address the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian population.
Sources: The time of india, Reuters, The sun, AP News, The guardian
