UK, France, Canada slam Israel over Gaza strikes, threaten targeted sanctions: 'Allow humanitarian aid'

The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada issued a joint statement Tuesday, strongly opposing Israel’s expanded military operations in Gaza and condemning its restrictions on humanitarian aid as a potential breach of international humanitarian law.

The statement comes as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 50 Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, according to local health authorities, amid escalating violence that has drawn global concern.

“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” the leaders said, criticising Israel’s announcement on Monday to allow only a “basic quantity” of food into Gaza as “wholly inadequate.”

They demanded an immediate halt to military operations and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid, urging Israel to work with the United Nations to restore aid delivery in line with humanitarian principles.

"The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law,” they said.

The leaders also condemned recent statements by Israeli officials threatening the relocation of Gaza’s civilians, warning that “permanent forced displacement” violates international law.

They called on Hamas to release all hostages held since the October 7, 2023, attack, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 others abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the criticism in a post on X, accusing the leaders of rewarding “genocidal” attacks by Hamas and undermining Israel’s right to self-defence.

“This is a war of civilization over barbarism,” Netanyahu wrote, insisting that Israel will continue its campaign until Hamas is dismantled, the hostages are freed, and Gaza is demilitarised.

Tuesday’s airstrikes targeted Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat, Jabalia, and Gaza City, killing at least 50 people, including women and children, Gaza medics reported.

The strikes hit two homes and a school sheltering displaced families, among other sites.

Israel’s military had warned residents of Khan Younis on Monday to evacuate to the coast ahead of an “unprecedented attack.”

Gaza health authorities say over 500 people have been killed in the past eight days, with the war’s total death toll exceeding 53,000, mostly civilians.

The joint statement also condemned Israel’s settlement expansion in the West Bank, calling it illegal and a threat to a future Palestinian state.

The leaders vowed to consider “targeted sanctions” if Israel does not halt its offensive and lift aid restrictions.

They expressed strong support for US, Qatar, and Egypt-led ceasefire talks and endorsed a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace, citing ongoing negotiations and a planned UN conference in June.

Hamas has demanded an end to the war and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for freeing the remaining hostages. Indirect ceasefire talks in Qatar have so far failed to yield a breakthrough.

Israel’s campaign has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population and caused widespread destruction since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.