A coalition of 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and numerous European Union member states, issued a joint statement on Monday demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza, warning that Israel's handling of humanitarian aid has become "dangerous" and in violation of international law.
"The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths," the foreign ministers said in the coordinated appeal. The statement condemned "the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food." It further described the deaths of over 800 Palestinians attempting to access humanitarian assistance as "horrifying."
The signatories sharply criticized Israel's aid model, stating, "The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity." They added, "The Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law."
Absent from the list of signatories were the United States and Germany. However, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he raised "the greatest concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza during a conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Wadephul urged implementation of European Union aid agreements.
The statement marks the latest escalation in diplomatic pressure against Israel amid the mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than two million Palestinians now rely on limited aid deliveries, with many displaced multiple times. Most of the supplies are routed through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed group supported by Israel that took over distribution after Israel banned the U.N.'s main aid agency, UNRWA, earlier this year.
Deliveries at four distribution sites have resulted in deadly incidents, including stampedes and shootings by Israeli soldiers and private security contractors, according to eyewitnesses and health officials. International aid organizations have criticized the foundation's lack of experience in active war zones.
Gaza's Health Ministry, which is administered by Hamas but recognized by the U.N. as the primary source of casualty data, reports over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with more than half being women and children. Israel disputes the figures and says civilian deaths are the result of Hamas militants operating in civilian areas.
Israeli officials maintain their military actions are lawful and blame Hamas for humanitarian shortfalls, alleging that the group diverts aid. The United Nations has said there is no evidence to support claims of widespread diversion of supplies.
The foreign ministers said they are prepared to "take action to support a political pathway to peace." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking to Parliament, praised the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt for their diplomatic efforts and called for an end to the violence. "There is no military solution," Lammy said. "The next ceasefire must be the last ceasefire."
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. According to Israeli estimates, 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though fewer than half are believed to be alive.
