UK, France, Canada threaten ‘concrete actions’ if Israel does not halt fighting, boost aid

The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issue a joint statement condemning Israel’s handling of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and calling on the Israeli government to immediately halt military action in the enclave and allow in aid, threatening “further concrete actions in response” if Israel refuses.

The three leaders — the UK’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Canada’s Mark Carney — call Israel’s announcement yesterday to allow a limited amount of aid into Gaza “wholly inadequate” and say the country’s failure to assist the Gazan civilian population “is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law.”

Israel must engage with the United Nations “to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles,” says the statement.

The countries also reject the prospect of “permanent forced displacement” of Gazan civilians, and rebuke members of the Israeli government for using “abhorrent language… threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate.”

“We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023,” the statement adds.

“Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” says the statement.

The nations also oppose the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, which would “undermine the viability of a Palestinian state,” and say they “will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions,” if the settlements are not halted.

The countries praise the efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, saying a ceasefire and hostage release deal, together with “a long-term political solution” offer the best solution for resolving the conflict, as well as “ending Hamas’s control of Gaza and achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, consistent with the goals of the 18 June conference in New York co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.”

“We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel, and the United States to finalize consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan,” continues the statement, saying the upcoming June conference will aim to build international cooperation on this matter.