From the Liveblog of
Saturday, March 22, 2025
German, French and UK FMs urge ‘immediate return’ to Gaza ceasefire, release of hostages
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain call for an “immediate return” to a Gaza ceasefire, as Israel’s military presses its renewed offensive against Hamas.
“The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza. We are appalled by the civilian casualties and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire,” the ministers say in a joint statement.
The joint appeal came after Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Friday to annex parts of the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not release the remaining Israeli hostages being held there.
The ministers — Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, France’s Jean-Noel Barrot and Britain’s David Lammy — call on “all parties to reengage with negotiations to ensure the ceasefire is implemented in full and becomes permanent.”
They say Hamas must release the dozens of hostages remaining in the Palestinian territory and that the terror group “must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel anymore.”
The allies say Israel must “fully respect international law” and allow the flow of aid into the territory.
The Times of Israel Community.