Pressure Mounts on Israel over its Military Escalation in Gaza

Leaders

20-05-2025

The Israeli government is facing mounting pressures from its allies over its military escalation in Gaza as the Strip's civilian population is enduring catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
The UK, France and Canada have threatened action against Israel, while 23 countries criticized Israeli blockade of aid entry into Gaza, urging Israel not to use humanitarian aid as a political tool to starve the Strip's population.
In response, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, insisted Israel would press ahead with its military operations in Gaza until total victory was achieved. Israel's Allies Speak Up
In a sharply-worded joint statement, the leaders of the UK, France and Canada spoke out against Israel's expansion of military operations in Gaza, calling it 'wholly disproportionate.' They urged Israel to allow in more humanitarian aid and alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians.
'We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,' the statement said. 'We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles. We call on Hamas to release immediately the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held since 7 October 2023,' it added.
Moreover, the three countries' leaders condemned Israeli government officials' remarks regarding the displacement of Gaza's population. 'We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law,' the statement noted. Concrete Response
Furthermore, the UK, France and Canada threatened to take concrete actions if Israel did not backtrack and allow in more humanitarian aid. 'We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,' the statement said.
The three countries also expressed opposition to settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, saying they are 'illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.' They threatened 'further action, including targeted sanctions.'
Moreover, the leaders of the three countries said they strongly support mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt and Qatar to secure a ceasefire, as well as efforts towards achieving a pathway to a two-state solution, including the high-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN, which Saudi Arabia and France will co-chair in June. Israeli Escalation in Gaza
Israel on Sunday moved forward with its Operation Gideon Chariots throughout the north and south of Gaza to step up pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. The expanded offensive followed days of heavy airstrikes which have killed more than 400 Palestinians and injured over 1,000 since Thursday, according to a CNN count of Gaza's Health Ministry data.
On Monday, Netanyahu vowed that Israel would take control of the entire Gaza Strip. 'The fighting is intense and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the Strip,' he stated in a video on Telegram.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said that Israel's military would 'wipe out' what remains of Palestinian Gaza, according to The Guardian. 'Now we conquer, cleanse and stay – until Hamas is destroyed. Along the way, what remains of the strip is also being wiped out,' he said during a press conference.
In response to the joint statement of the UK, France and Canada, Netanyahu said that Israel would continue its operations until total victory achieved, accusing the leaders of the three countries with offering a prize to Hamas and encouraging more attacks. 'The leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,' he said. Mounting Pressures
On Sunday, Netanyahu's office said that Israel would allow the entry of a 'basic amount of food' into Gaza to prevent a 'starvation crisis' which could jeopardize its military operation, after international pressure mounted on the Israeli government over a looming famine.
On March 2, 2025, Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid entry into Gaza, before resuming its military operations in the Strip on March 18, to increase pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. The blockade has forced community kitchens to close due to the lack of supplies and the depletion of food stocks, putting Gaza's population at the risk of famine.
On Monday, Netanyahu acknowledged that his decision to allow a limited amount of aid was a result of pressure from close allies. '[They told me]: 'We cannot accept images of hunger, mass hunger. We cannot stand that. We will not be able to support you,' he said in a video on social media. Aid Delivery Resumption
Following Israel's decision to resume aid entry, around 9 trucks entered Gaza after nearly three months of total blockade, according to The Guardian. However, the UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, warned it was just a 'drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.'
In a separate joint statement, the Foreign Ministers of 23 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and the UK, as well as EU representatives, urged Israel to stop politicizing humanitarian aid for starving Gaza's population.
'Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza's people must receive the aid they desperately need,' the statement noted.
'Humanitarian aid should never be politicized, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change,' the statement warned.
The 23 countries urged Israel to immediately resume aid entry into the Strip. 'As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organizations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity,' the statement noted.
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