Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel over Gaza
The leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened sanctions against Israel if it does not stop a renewed military offensive inGazaand lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The leaders of Britain, France and Canada warned on Monday that their countries would take action if Israel does not stop a renewed military offensive inGazaand lift aid restrictions.
The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and earlier on Monday Netanyahu said Israel would take control ofthe whole ofGaza.
International experts already have warned of looming famine.
"The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," ajoint statementsaid.
"We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions."
The three governments added they "strongly oppose the expansion of Israels military operations in Gaza", and that the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.
France urges EU to reassess Israel trade partnership over Gaza rights abuses
In response,Netanyahusaid that "the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on 7October while inviting more such atrocities".
He saidIsraelwill defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved, reiterating Israel's conditions to end the war which include the release of the remaining hostages and the demilitarisation of theGazastrip.
Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies intoGazasince the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing the hostages the Palestinian militant group took on 7October 2023, when it attacked Israeli communities.
"We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate," the three Western leaders said in their joint statement. They said they would not stand by while Netanyahu's government pursued "these egregious actions."
TheWestern leaders also stated their support forefforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egyptfor an immediate ceasefire inGaza, and said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict.
UN rapporteur says Israel's war in Gaza is 'emptying the land completely'
Hamas welcomed the joint statement describing the stance as "an important step" in the right direction toward restoring the principles of international law.
Israel's ground and air war has devastatedGaza, displacing nearly all its residents and killing more than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, according toGazahealth authorities.
The war began with the 7October 2023, Hamas-led attack in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, including over 690 civilians, and seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
(Reuters)
Originally published on RFI
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Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The resolution, drafted by the council's 10 elected members who serve two-year terms, reiterates its demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups following their Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza 'catastrophic,' the proposed resolution also demands 'the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN and humanitarian partners.' The vote, scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, comes amid near-daily shootings following the establishment by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation of aid distribution points inside Israeli military zones, a system it says is designed to circumvent Hamas. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn't address Gaza's mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon, and doesn't comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The draft resolution demands the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with those principles, international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions. Several UN diplomats from different countries, speaking on condition of anonymity Tuesday because discussions have been private, said they expect the United States to veto the resolution. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on the draft resolution at this time. Israel's UN Mission did not respond to a request for comment on the draft. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Gaza's roughly 2 million people are almost completely reliant on international aid because Israel's offensive has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities. Israel imposed a blockade on supplies into Gaza on March 2, and limited aid began to enter again late last month after pressure from allies and warnings of famine. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the needs in Gaza are enormous and what's getting into Gaza from the UN 'is still just a trickle.' Since the complete blockade was partly lifted, he said, just over 620 truckloads have made it from Israel to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, and only about 370 truckloads — mainly with flour, food and medical and nutrition items __ have gotten closer to people in need, with some looted including by armed gangs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance at scale must be restored immediately,' Dujarric said. 'The UN must be allowed to work in safety and in security under conditions of full respect for humanitarian principles.' Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Security Council has voted on 14 Gaza-related resolutions and approved four. The last resolution was also proposed by the 10 elected council members and also demanded 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties.' Fourteen of the 15 council members voted in favour last Nov. 20, but the U.S. vetoed the resolution because it was not linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel that ignited the war. They are still holding 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The ministry is led by medical professionals but reports to the Hamas-run government. Its toll is seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers. Columnists Ontario Olympics Canada Other Sports
