The leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened ‘concrete actions’ against Israel yesterday if it does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and Netanyahu later said Israel would take control of the whole of Gaza. International experts already have warned of looming famine.
“The Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law,” a joint statement released by the British government said.
“If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”
On settlement activity, they added: “We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.”
Britain later paused free trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers as its foreign minister condemned a ‘monstrous’ military escalation in Gaza.
The European Union separately agreed to review its co-operation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said.
Kallas said Brussels was acting after ‘a strong majority’ of its 27 member states backed the move, in a meeting of EU foreign ministers, in a bid to pressure Israel.
Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing the hostages the Palestinian group took on October 7, 2023, when it attacked Israeli communities.
The three nations stated their support for efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict.
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