Britain, Canada, France Warn Israel Over Actions in Gaza
In a significant diplomatic development, Britain, Canada, and France have jointly issued a warning to Israel over what they termed “egregious” actions in the Gaza Strip.
The coordinated statement marks a rare show of disapproval from three of Israel’s long-standing Western allies, amid intensifying international concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The three nations expressed alarm over the escalating civilian toll and the destruction of critical infrastructure in Gaza as a result of Israel’s continued military operations.
According to the joint statement, the governments are “deeply troubled by the scale of the violence and the apparent disregard for international humanitarian law.
“We strongly condemn the egregious actions taking place in Gaza. While we recognize Israel’s right to defend itself, that right must be exercised with full respect for international law and the protection of civilian lives. What we are witnessing is unacceptable,” the statement read.
The warning comes in the wake of a series of Israeli airstrikes that reportedly struck residential areas, hospitals, and UN-operated shelters, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
Human rights organizations and UN agencies have raised urgent concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation, with access to clean water, food, and medical supplies becoming increasingly limited.
British Foreign Secretary James Cartwright, Canadian Foreign Minister Sophie Lemaire, and French Foreign Minister Julien Moreau signed the joint statement.
The ministers called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both Israeli and Palestinian leadership to resume negotiations toward a lasting political solution.
“The situation in Gaza is on the brink of catastrophe. There must be accountability for violations of international law. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize the protection of innocent lives,” the ministers said.
Israel has yet to issue an official response to the joint statement. However, Israeli officials have previously defended their military actions, asserting that they are targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure embedded within civilian areas, and accusing the group of using civilians as human shields.
As international pressure mounts, calls for an independent investigation into potential violations of international law are growing louder.
The United Nations is expected to convene an emergency session later this week to address the worsening crisis.
The warning from Britain, Canada, and France signals a possible shift in diplomatic tone and adds to the chorus of voices urging a de-escalation in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
