Immediate ceasefire in Gaza demanded by 25 countries, including Italy
A coalition of 25 countries, including 17 European Union members and eight non-EU allies, has issued a powerful joint statement demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The statement, signed also by the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, strongly condemns the Israeli government’s ongoing actions in the Palestinian territories and calls for urgent humanitarian relief.
The signatories include Italy, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Japan.
In their declaration, the foreign ministers of these nations denounced the accelerated expansion of Israeli settlements throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem, describing it as unacceptable and warning against any attempts to alter the territory or demographic composition in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They also condemned the recent increase in settler violence against Palestinians.
The statement criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial proposals to forcibly relocate Palestinian populations to a “humanitarian city,” calling such plans a violation of international humanitarian law. The group highlighted the “dangerous” Israeli government aid distribution system in Gaza, which they say fuels instability and strips Gaza’s residents of their dignity.
The coalition voiced unanimous condemnation of the “inhumane killing of civilians, including children, trying to meet their most basic needs for water and food,” and strongly urged the Israeli government to end the “trickle distribution” of humanitarian aid.
Notably absent from the declaration were the United States and Germany, two key players traditionally supportive of Israel. The absence underscores the critical role US backing plays in Israel’s current regional policies.
The 25 countries affirmed their readiness to take further measures to support peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the broader Middle East, signaling a possible shift towards more active international pressure on Israel’s government.
This joint declaration marks a growing international pushback against Netanyahu’s expansionist policies and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, raising questions about the future of Israel’s relations with key allies and the prospects for peace in the region.
