Australia, UK, and Allies Urge Immediate Halt to Gaza Conflict Amid Escalating Israeli Offensive

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A coalition of 25 Western nations, including Australia, the UK, France, and Canada, have urged Israel to immediately cease its conflict in Gaza, condemning the “inhumane killing” of Palestinians, among them hundreds near food distribution points.

In a joint statement, the countries denounced the “piecemeal provision of aid” to Gaza and expressed horror at reports that more than 800 civilians had been killed while attempting to receive aid.

The majority of these fatalities occurred near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) facilities, supported by both the U.S. and Israel to assume control over aid from a United Nations-led network.

“The current aid delivery strategy by the Israeli government is perilous, inciting instability and stripping Gazans of their dignity,” the foreign ministers commented in a unified declaration.

“Civilians in Gaza are enduring unprecedented levels of suffering.”

The call by about 20 European countries, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, for an end to the war in Gaza and the delivery of aid comes from many countries which are allied with Israel and its most important backer, the US.

Among those calling for an end to the war are four out of five countries in the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes the US.

Israel’s foreign ministry said the statement was “disconnected from reality” and it would send the wrong message to Hamas.

“This statement inadequately holds Hamas accountable and overlooks its role in the ongoing crisis,” the Israeli response elaborated.

People walking along a dirt road. Trucks carrying groups of people.

Save The Children estimates between 50,000 and 80,000 Palestinian people are sheltering in Deir al-Balah. Source: Getty / Dawoud Abo Alkas

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar later said he spoke with his British counterpart David Lammy on regional issues, including Gaza. He blamed Hamas “for the suffering of the population and the continuation of the war”.

The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, labeled the statement “repugnant,” asserting that attributing blame to Israel was “illogical” as Hamas dismisses every ceasefire initiative.

Israel expands war

Much of Gaza has been reduced to a wasteland during more than 21 months of the conflict that escalated when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, with the latest deaths reported on Monday as Israel began a new incursion in central Gaza.

The GHF uses private US security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing the UN-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians.

Hamas denies the accusation.

The UN has called the GHF’s model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards, which the GHF denies.

The countries behind the statement said Israel was denying essential humanitarian assistance and called on the country to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

They urged Israel to immediately lift restrictions to allow the flow of aid and to enable humanitarian organisations and the UN to operate safely and effectively.

They said they were “prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace” for Israelis and Palestinians.