The leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened sanctions against Israel if it does not stop a renewed military offensive inGazaand lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The leaders of Britain, France and Canada warned on Monday that their countries would take action if Israel does not stop a renewed military offensive inGazaand lift aid restrictions.
The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and earlier on Monday Netanyahu said Israel would take control ofthe whole ofGaza.
International experts already have warned of looming famine.
"The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," ajoint statementsaid.
"We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions."
The three governments added they "strongly oppose the expansion of Israels military operations in Gaza", and that the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.
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In response,Netanyahusaid that "the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on 7October while inviting more such atrocities".
He saidIsraelwill defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved, reiterating Israel's conditions to end the war which include the release of the remaining hostages and the demilitarisation of theGazastrip.
Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies intoGazasince the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing the hostages the Palestinian militant group took on 7October 2023, when it attacked Israeli communities.
"We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate," the three Western leaders said in their joint statement. They said they would not stand by while Netanyahu's government pursued "these egregious actions."
TheWestern leaders also stated their support forefforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egyptfor an immediate ceasefire inGaza, and said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict.
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Hamas welcomed the joint statement describing the stance as "an important step" in the right direction toward restoring the principles of international law.
Israel's ground and air war has devastatedGaza, displacing nearly all its residents and killing more than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, according toGazahealth authorities.
The war began with the 7October 2023, Hamas-led attack in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, including over 690 civilians, and seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
(Reuters)
Originally published on RFI
