Foreign ministers of six European states condemn Israel's new Gaza offensive
The foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain have denounced Israel’s latest offensive in the Gaza Strip and its announcement to establish a permanent presence across the besieged Palestinian territory.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the ministers warned that the intensification of military operations would “lead to the intolerable deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians, including women, children and elderly people.”
The top European diplomats also denounced the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling it “a flagrant violation of international law.”
"The systematic destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, including locations serving as refuge for extremely vulnerable displaced civilians, is unacceptable," the statement said.
“We urge the Israeli government to immediately reconsider its decision and cease operations. This spiral of violence must end.”
The Israeli military is poised to advance on Gaza City, the largest urban center in the area, despite global appeals against the move due to concerns it may result in substantial casualties and displace approximately one million Palestinians currently seeking refuge there.
The statement said the ministers were “horrified” by the confirmation of famine in Gaza, and they denounced the forced displacement of Palestinians, “which represents a flagrant violation of international law.”
Up to 800,000 Palestinians are now enduring catastrophic conditions marked by starvation, destitution, and death.
The European ministers called on Israel to uphold its humanitarian obligations and allow UN agencies and NGOs to deliver aid.
The statement also voiced concern over settlement expansion in the West Bank and rising violence by the Israeli settlers.
“The international community will not remain silent in the face of human rights violations.”
Since Friday dawn, more than 50 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli bombardments across Gaza. At least seven of them were aid seekers.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported five more civilians, including two children, have starved to death in the past day alone.
Israel has killed over 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023; nearly 159,500 have been injured, according to the health ministry of Gaza.
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