The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have issued a stern warning to Israel, threatening sanctions if it does not cease its escalating military operations in Gaza.
In a joint statement reported by the BBC on Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned Israel’s continued military campaign, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and unfettered access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Describing the humanitarian situation as “intolerable,” the leaders criticised the total blockade on Gaza—which has halted food, fuel, and medical supplies since early March—as a violation of international norms.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the criticism, accusing the Western leaders of attempting to reward Hamas and undermine Israel’s right to self-defence. He reiterated that no ceasefire would occur until Hamas is completely defeated.
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While Netanyahu announced that Israel would allow a “basic amount of food” into Gaza, the move was labelled “wholly inadequate” by the trio of Western leaders, who warned it might breach international humanitarian law.
The joint statement also condemned inflammatory rhetoric from certain Israeli officials that suggested the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians—warning that such comments could incite violations of legal and ethical standards.
The United Nations echoed these concerns. UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher described the limited aid deliveries as “a drop in the ocean” relative to the need.
Although the Western leaders affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, they said the current scale of the military response was disproportionate and urged restraint.
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They also demanded that Hamas immediately release the remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks, which left around 1,200 dead and 251 abducted. As of now, 58 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with 23 presumed alive, according to Israeli estimates.
The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, claims that more than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
Despite the mounting death toll, Netanyahu remains firm in his stance, rejecting calls for a two-state solution and instead backing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to Middle East peace.
The joint warning by the UK, France, and Canada marks one of the strongest international rebukes of Israel’s actions since the start of the war and may signal a shift in diplomatic relations if the conflict continues unabated.
