France, Germany and the United Kingdom called, in a joint statement on Friday, for an immediate end to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
In response to alerts from the UN and NGOs warning of an imminent, widespread famine, the three European governments urged Israel to immediately lift the restrictions on aid delivery.
They also reminded Israel of its obligations under international humanitarian law. Noting that the time has come to end the war in Gaza, they urged all parties to halt the conflict by immediately agreeing to a ceasefire. They also reiterated their calls for the release of Israeli hostages and the disarmament of Hamas.
The statement expressed strong opposition to any attempts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.
It warned that threats of annexation, settlements, and violence by settlers against Palestinians jeopardise prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.
On Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had announced that he would hold an “emergency meeting” about the situation in Gaza with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The statement released on Friday did not specify whether it was issued before or after that meeting.
