Canada, France, and Britain issued a joint statement today, Tuesday, expressing their deep concern over the deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, calling on Israel to cease military operations immediately and to allow humanitarian aid to enter without restrictions.

Canada's Position: Unacceptable Escalation

The trilateral statement, issued after consultations between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his French and British counterparts, confirmed that the ongoing Israeli military escalation in Gaza is “unacceptable,” emphasizing the need to respect international humanitarian law and to avoid targeting civilians.

The statement noted that Israel's recent decision to allow limited quantities of food supplies into the strip is completely insufficient. The leaders stated in their statement:

“Depriving civilians in Gaza of essential humanitarian aid is a gross violation of international humanitarian law, and Israel must take concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of civilians immediately.”

Warning of the Consequences of Escalation

The statement warned of the consequences of continued military operations, stressing that the current situation threatens to lead to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. It also called for full cooperation with the United Nations to ensure aid reaches affected areas without obstacles.

Support for International Initiatives

In a related context, the statement reiterated Canada, France, and Britain's support for the diplomatic efforts being made by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to achieve an immediate ceasefire. It stressed that ending the fighting, releasing all hostages, and a long-term political solution are the only ways to end the suffering of civilians in Gaza and achieve stability in the region.

Angry Israeli Reaction

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the trilateral statement, describing it as “a huge reward for the attack on October 7.” Netanyahu said in a radio statement:

“We will not reward Hamas for killing more than 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 others hostage. Calling for the cessation of military operations and granting Palestinians an independent state at this time means rewarding terrorism.”

International Commitment to End the Conflict

In conclusion, the three leaders expressed their countries' readiness to work with the Palestinian Authority and regional partners, including Israel and the United States, to establish future arrangements for Gaza within the framework of a two-state solution.

This statement comes at a time when international pressure on Israel is increasing to allow aid into Gaza, amid unprecedented military escalation that has resulted in dozens of casualties in recent days.