Britain, France, and Canada have sharply threatened Israel with sanctions in response to its new military offensive in Gaza, emphasizing their disagreement with the escalation of the conflict and calling for an immediate ceasefire
These leading Western countries expressed their position in a joint statement published on the official government websites, highlighting the need to focus on humanitarian issues and ensuring the safety of the civilian population. The statement from the leaders of Britain, France, and Canada unequivocally condemns any expansion of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. It refers to preparations to impose sanctions if the Israeli government does not change its current position. "We firmly oppose any attempts to expand military actions in Gaza. Human suffering here and now is extremely severe, and we call for a cessation of hostilities and the immediate facilitation of humanitarian convoys to the population," the joint statement reads. They also stressed the need for the immediate release of hostages, whom, according to the authors, were captured by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. Representatives of the three countries urge the rapid and unconditional release of all civilians, including those taken hostage by the criminal organization. Additionally, the communiqué mentions Israel’s historic and ethical responsibility to the international community. The attack on October 7 was described as a terrible terrorist act, and the countries emphasize that they support Israel’s right “to defend its people from terrorism,” but at the same time, they note that Israel's recent military response has entirely exceeded the bounds of proportionality. "We cannot remain indifferent while the Netanyahu government facilitates further escalation of the conflict. If Israeli military operations are not promptly stopped and restrictions on humanitarian aid are not lifted, we will consider applying additional measures," the statement says. Furthermore, the leaders of the three countries underline their negative stance regarding any attempts to expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank. They emphasized that such actions are illegal under international law and undermine the prospects for the creation of a viable Palestinian state, as well as posing security threats to both peoples. "We are prepared to introduce targeted sanctions in response to any violations of the status quo and illegal construction. Our countries remain committed to a peaceful resolution and call on both sides for dialogue and restraint," they state in the joint declaration. Thus, the governments of the three influential countries reaffirm their unwavering support for Israel in the fight against terrorists, while calling for restraint and adherence to international norms to prevent further escalation of the conflict, which has already claimed the lives of at least hundreds of civilians and caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They threaten to intensify sanctions and take control of the situation if the Israeli government's policies regarding hostilities and restrictions on humanitarian aid do not change. However, whether diplomatic efforts can prevent the situation from worsening remains an open question for the future, requiring swift and decisive reaction from the international community.