Western Nations Urge Immediate End to Gaza War, Slam Israel’s Aid Strategy

A coalition of 25 Western nations, including Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has issued a joint statement demanding Israel immediately end its military campaign in Gaza. The group condemned the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians, including over 800 civilians reportedly killed near aid distribution sites.

The statement sharply criticized Israel’s partnership with the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), calling its aid delivery model unsafe and dehumanizing. The GHF, which bypasses the U.N.-led aid system, uses private U.S. contractors for logistics, a method Israel says prevents Hamas from intercepting aid. However, the U.N. and rights groups argue it violates humanitarian standards and worsens the crisis.

The foreign ministers described the ongoing "drip feeding" of aid as unacceptable and accused Israel of fueling instability. They urged Israel to lift restrictions, allow U.N. operations, and comply with international humanitarian law. The joint plea marks a significant shift among Israel’s traditional allies, including four of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance members, excluding the U.S.

In response, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the statement as "disconnected from reality," accusing it of ignoring Hamas’s role in sparking the war. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reiterated that Hamas is responsible for civilian suffering.

The war, now in its 22nd month, has left much of Gaza in ruins. Israeli forces launched a fresh offensive into Deir al-Balah on Monday. According to Gaza health officials, over 59,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages.

Separately, the U.K. announced an additional £60 million ($80.9 million) in humanitarian aid for Gaza. Western leaders say they are ready to take further steps to support an immediate ceasefire and a path toward peace.