“We, the signatories listed below, come together with a simple, urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now,” read the statement, signed on Italy’s behalf by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels.
The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of their human dignity.
“We condemn the slow and insufficient provision of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, as they attempt to access basic necessities like water and food.
It is horrifying that more than 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.
The Israeli government’s obstruction of essential humanitarian assistance to civilians is unacceptable.
“Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.”
The statement was also signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
“The hostages cruelly held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, continue to suffer. We condemn their ongoing detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release,” continued the statement, “A negotiated ceasefire offers the best chance to bring them home and end the agony of their families.
“We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to carry out their life-saving work safely and effectively.
“We call on all parties to protect civilians and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
“Proposals to relocate the Palestinian population to a so-called ‘humanitarian city’ are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.
“We strongly oppose any steps toward territorial or demographic changes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“The E1 settlement plan announced by Israel’s Civil Administration, if implemented, would divide a future Palestinian state in two, constituting a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermining the two-state solution.
“Meanwhile, settlement expansion across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has accelerated, and settler violence against Palestinians has surged. This must stop.
“We urge all parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this devastating conflict to an end through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire.
“Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our full support for the efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt to achieve this.
“We stand ready to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the broader region.”
ANSA
