Israel rejects 25-nation statement calling for end to Gaza war

Israel rejects the joint statement signed by 25 Western nations calling for an “unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and condemning Israel’s handling of the humanitarian situation in the territory, the Foreign Ministry writes on X.

The statement “is disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas,” the ministry says, asserting that “all statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire: Hamas, which started this war and is prolonging it.”

The terror group has “stubbornly” refused the latest ceasefire proposal, which Israel agreed to, is “running a campaign to spread lies about Israel,” and “deliberately acting to increase friction and harm to civilians who come to receive humanitarian aid,” the ministry adds.

Israel rejects the joint statement published by a group of countries, as it is disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas.

All statements and all claims should be directed at the only party responsible for the lack of a deal for the release of hostages and a…

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) July 21, 2025

“The statement fails to focus the pressure on Hamas … At these sensitive moments in the ongoing negotiations, it is better to avoid statements of this kind,” the ministry concludes.

The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, and Italy are among the nations who signed the communique, while several European allies including Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia did not sign the document.

However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says he spoke on the phone today with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and expressed his “greatest concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation, especially in light of the expansion of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.”