In a new escalation of the political crisis surrounding Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, Tuesday, attacked both Britain, France, and Canada, over their calls to halt military operations in the sector and allow the urgent entry of humanitarian aid. Netanyahu described these demands as a “huge reward” for Hamas, considering that the call to calm the situation before eliminating the movement represents encouragement for “terrorism.”

Netanyahu stated in a remark relayed by the Israeli army radio: “We will not reward Hamas for the October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the kidnapping of 251 others. Any demand to halt military operations and grant the Palestinians an independent state now means granting a massive reward for terrorism.”

Netanyahu added that Israel is proceeding with its plan to eliminate Hamas and disarm the Gaza Strip, noting that former U.S. President Donald Trump's vision for resolving the conflict aligns with these goals. He urged European leaders to adopt the same approach that considers eliminating Hamas a prerequisite for achieving peace.

Palestinian Welcome and International Criticism

In contrast, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed the tripartite statement issued by Britain, France, and Canada, considering it a step towards reinforcing international law and protecting civilians in Gaza. The Authority called on the international community to exert more pressure on Israel to stop its military operations.

For his part, the British government spokesperson expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the sector, pointing out that “humanitarian aid must be a top priority.” He confirmed the continuation of diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel to open safe passages.

Ongoing Military Escalation

This political escalation comes amid the Israeli army’s continuation of intense military operations in the Gaza Strip, where local reports indicated the killing of more than 100 Palestinians over the past two days due to the intense Israeli bombardment of residential areas.

The Health Ministry in Gaza confirmed that the humanitarian situation is worsening, with a worsening shortage of medical supplies and food amid the closure of border crossings.