LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
UK, France, and Germany Warn Israel Against Gaza Aid Freeze Amidst Humanitarian Concerns
International leaders express alarm over Israel's halt to humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing potential breaches of international law.
06 March 2025 · 06:22 UTC
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the three nations expressed their deep concern over Israel’s suspension of the transport of goods and supplies into the region.
On March 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government announced the cessation of aid following a failure to secure an extension of a fragile ceasefire that was due to expire.
The Israeli government indicated that additional consequences could follow if Hamas did not accept a U.S. proposal aimed at extending the ceasefire.
The joint statement emphasized that humanitarian aid should not be contingent upon the political dynamics of a ceasefire.
The foreign ministers asserted, "Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool." They further noted the catastrophic humanitarian situation unfolding in Gaza and called for a resumption of aid flows to help alleviate the urgent needs of civilians in the area.
The statement underscored the necessity for sustained humanitarian access, calling for the unconditional release of hostages by Hamas while encouraging all involved parties to adhere to the ceasefire conditions and strive for sustainable peace.
The ministers welcomed the mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, which aim to negotiate the extension of the ceasefire.
With ongoing violence and instability in the region, international leaders have reiterated the importance of constructive engagement among parties to ensure the implementation of peace agreements and a pathway to a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully.