logo
UK, Canada and 26 other countries say the war in Gaza must end now

UK, Canada and 26 other countries say the war in Gaza must end now

News186 days ago
London, Jul 22 (AP) Twenty-eight countries including Britain, Japan and a host of European nations issued a joint statement Monday saying the war in Gaza 'must end now" — the latest sign of allies' sharpening language as Israel's isolation deepens.
The foreign ministers of countries also including Australia and Canada said 'the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths." They condemned 'the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food." The statement described as 'horrifying" the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza's Health Ministry and the UN human rights office.
'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the countries said. 'The Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law." Israel and US reject the criticism Israel's Foreign Ministry rejected the statement, saying it was 'disconnected from reality and sends the wrong message to Hamas." It accused Hamas of prolonging the war by refusing to accept an Israeli-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire and hostage release.
'Hamas is the sole party responsible for the continuation of the war and the suffering on both sides," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein posted on X.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X that he spoke with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar on Monday and expressed the 'greatest concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza as Israel's offensive widens. He called on Israel to implement agreements with the EU to enable more humanitarian aid.
A worsening humanitarian crisis Gaza's population of more than 2 million Palestinians is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, now relying largely on the limited aid allowed into the territory. Israel's offensive has displaced some 90 per cent of the population, with many forced to flee multiple times.
Most of the food supplies Israel has allowed into Gaza go to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American group backed by Israel. Since its operations began in May, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in shootings by Israeli soldiers while heading to the sites, according to witnesses and health officials. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots at those who approach its forces.
Israel's 21 months of war with Hamas have pushed Gaza to the brink of famine, sparked worldwide protests and led to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel has brushed off previous criticism Allies' criticism about Israel's actions has had little clear effect. In May, Britain, France and Canada issued a joint statement urging Netanyahu's government to stop its military operations in Gaza and threatening 'concrete actions" if it didn't.
Israel rejects criticism of its wartime conduct, saying its forces have acted lawfully and blaming civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in populated areas. It says it has allowed enough food in to sustain Gaza and accuses Hamas of siphoning off much of it. The United Nations says there is no evidence for widespread diversion of humanitarian aid.
The new joint statement called for an immediate ceasefire, saying countries are prepared to take action to support a political pathway to peace in the region.
Israel and Hamas have been engaged in ceasefire talks but there appears to be no breakthrough, and it's not clear whether any truce would bring the war to a lasting halt. Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed.
Speaking to Parliament, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy thanked the US, Qatar and Egypt for their diplomatic efforts to try to end the war.
'There is no military solution," Lammy said. 'The next ceasefire must be the last ceasefire." Hamas triggered the war when militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, but fewer than half are thought to be alive.
Israel's military offensive has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says more than half of the dead are women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas government, but the UN and other international organisations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. (AP) SKY SKY
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 03:00 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US, EU strike trade deal with broad 15% tariff on most European goods
US, EU strike trade deal with broad 15% tariff on most European goods

First Post

time13 minutes ago

  • First Post

US, EU strike trade deal with broad 15% tariff on most European goods

The US and the EU have finalised a framework trade agreement, introducing a sweeping 15% US tariff on most European imports. read more European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sits with U.S. President Donald Trump, after the announcement of a trade deal between the U.S. and EU, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain. Reuters The United States struck a framework trade deal with the European Union on Sunday, imposing a 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU goods, but averting a spiralling battle between two allies which account for almost a third of global trade. The announcement came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at his golf course in western Scotland to push a hard-fought deal over the line. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Post-Assad Syria to hold first parliamentary polls in September amid sectarian unrest
Post-Assad Syria to hold first parliamentary polls in September amid sectarian unrest

First Post

time13 minutes ago

  • First Post

Post-Assad Syria to hold first parliamentary polls in September amid sectarian unrest

Syria will hold its first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar al-Assad between 15 and 20 September, according to officials. The polls, announced amid deadly sectarian violence in Sweida province, come as the country navigates a tense political transition under temporary President Ahmad al-Sharaa. read more In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, left, meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, center, and Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, chairman of the Higher Committee for People's Assembly Elections, right, in Damascus, Syria. AP Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, according to the president of the committee in charge of organising the election process, told state media on Sunday. Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, head of the Higher Committee for People's Assembly Elections, informed the state news agency SANA that polls will be held between September 15 and 20. They will be the first held by the country's new leaders following the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a swift rebel attack in December. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One-third of the 210 seats will be appointed by temporary President Ahmad al-Sharaa, with the remainder to be elected. Another election committee member, Hassan al-Daghim, stated in a recent interview with the Erem News website that an electoral college will be established in every Syrian province to cast votes for the elected seats. In March, al-Sharaa signed a temporary constitution that called for the creation of a People's Committee to act as a makeshift parliament until the adoption of a permanent constitution and general elections are held, a process that may take years. The recent announcement of upcoming polls coincides with a growing rift in the nation's opinion of the new Damascus government following sectarian violence in the southern province of Sweida earlier this month. The fighting killed hundreds of people and threatened to unravel Syria's fragile postwar transition. The violent clashes, which broke out two weeks ago, were sparked by tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans and fighters from the Druze religious minority. Syrian government forces intervened, ostensibly to end the fighting, but effectively sided with the clans. Some government fighters reportedly executed Druze civilians and burned and looted houses. Israel intervened, launching airstrikes on government forces and on the Defense Ministry headquarters. Israel said it was acting to defend the Druze minority.

U.S. EU trade deal: Donald Trump slaps 15 per cent tariffs on European goods, auto. What is new in it? Is China next?
U.S. EU trade deal: Donald Trump slaps 15 per cent tariffs on European goods, auto. What is new in it? Is China next?

Economic Times

time13 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

U.S. EU trade deal: Donald Trump slaps 15 per cent tariffs on European goods, auto. What is new in it? Is China next?

US-Europe Trade Deal US-EU Tariffs Live Events USA-China Trade Deal Nearing? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Sunday announced they had reached a deal to end a transatlantic tariffs standoff and avert a full-blown trade war. The agreement came as the clock ticked down on an August 1 deadline for the European Union to strike a deal with Washington -- or face an across-the-board US levy of 30 percent. Trump told reporters the deal involved a baseline levy of 15 percent on EU exports to the United States -- the same level secured by Japan -- including for the bloc's crucial auto sector, which is currently being taxed at 25 percent. Now all eyes are on the world's second largest economy - US President also said the bloc had agreed to purchase "$750 billion worth of energy" from the United States, as well as $600 billion more in additional investments in the country. Negotiating on behalf of the EU's 27 countries, von der Leyen's European Commission had been pushing hard to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual $1.9 trillion in goods and EU has been hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House. It is currently subject to a 25-percent levy on cars, 50 percent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 percent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 percent in a no-deal 15 percent would be much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods, which average around 4.8 percent, it would mirror the status quo, with companies currently facing an additional flat rate of 10 the talks failed, EU states had greenlit counter tariffs on $109 billion (93 billion euros) of US goods including aircraft and cars to take effect in stages from August 7. Brussels was also drawing up a list of US services to potentially has embarked on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world, and has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs if they do not reach a pact with Washington by August 1. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had said Sunday the August 1 deadline was firm and there will be "no extensions, no more grace periods".U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday his administration was close to reaching a trade deal with China, but gave no other details. "We're very close to a deal with China. We really sort of made a deal with China, but we'll see how that goes," Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland.A1. While 15 percent would be much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods, which average around 4.8 percent, it would mirror the status quo, with companies currently facing an additional flat rate of 10 percent.A2. US President Donald Trump also said the bloc had agreed to purchase "$750 billion worth of energy" from the United States, as well as $600 billion more in additional investments in the country.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store