The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and earlier on Monday Netanyahu said Israel would take control of the whole of Gaza.
“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.
“We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank … We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.”
But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” the three Western leaders said in the joint statement.
Hamas welcomed the joint statement describing the stance as “an important step” in the right direction toward restoring the principles of international law.
An overview.
Western leaders back ceasefire efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
Netanyahu justifies his actions and lists requirements for resolving the conflict.
Hamas commends the attitude of Western leaders.
LONDON, May 19, (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under increased pressure after the leaders of Britain, Canada, and France threatened sanctions against Israel on Monday if it does not halt a renewed military offensive in Gaza and remove aid restrictions.
Netanyahu declared earlier on Monday that Israel would seize control of the entire Gaza Strip, and the Israeli military announced the beginning of a new operation on Friday. Famine has already been forewarned by international experts.
“It is unacceptable and potentially a violation of international humanitarian law that the Israeli government is refusing vital humanitarian aid to the civilian population,” the British government said in a joint statement.
“Any attempt to increase the number of settlements in the West Bank . is something we oppose. We won’t think twice about pursuing additional measures, such as specific sanctions. “.
“The leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” Netanyahu retorted.
He reiterated Israel’s demands to end the war, which include the release of the remaining hostages and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and declared that Israel would defend itself by just means until complete victory is attained.
Since the beginning of March, Israel has prevented the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza in an effort to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it took from Israeli communities on October 7, 2023.
“The right of Israel to protect its citizens from terrorism has always been upheld by us. However, the three Western leaders stated in their joint statement that this escalation is completely out of proportion. They declared that they would not tolerate Netanyahu’s administration continuing “these egregious actions.”. “.
They pledged to recognize a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict and expressed support for the United States, Qatar, and Egypt’s efforts to bring about an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The joint statement was hailed by Hamas, which called the position “an important step” in the right direction toward reestablishing the fundamentals of international law.
More than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, have been killed in Israel’s air and ground war in Gaza, which has displaced almost all of its citizens.
The conflict started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas led an attack in which, according to Israeli estimates, the militants killed roughly 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and took 251 hostages.
Muvija M. reported, and Howard Goller, Sandra Maler, and Andrew Cawthorne edited.
