Israel must cease its military offensive on Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid or face “concrete actions,” the leaders of the U.K., France and Canada have said.
The joint statement by Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney also demanded Hamas release hostages it took in the attack on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel that preceded the war in Gaza.
Speaking to Newsweek from Gaza on Tuesday, an aid worker for the Mercy Corps humanitarian NGO said the statement offered hope at a time when the situation on the ground is getting worse “by the hour.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the NATO leaders are appeasing Hamas and are inviting more attacks akin to October 7.
The U.N. warned Tuesday that Israel’s continued blockade of Gaza could cause the deaths of 14,000 babies in the next 48 hours.
Newsweek has contacted the Israeli government for comment.
Palestinian women at Gaza City’s Al-Ahli Arab hospital following an Israeli airstrike that hit an UNRWA school on May 20, 2025.
Palestinian women at Gaza City’s Al-Ahli Arab hospital following an Israeli airstrike that hit an UNRWA school on May 20, 2025.
OMAR AL-QATTAA/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Humanitarian organizations and aid agencies have warned of the dire consequences of a nearly three-month blockade on Gaza, where Israel has prevented food and other supplies entering. The statement by France, the U.K. and Canada, comes as the EU foreign affairs council discusses suspending a major trade agreement with Israel.
What To Know
Starmer, Macron and Carney jointly told Netanyahu to halt “egregious” actions in Gaza and that there would be “concrete actions” over the “intolerable” human suffering they say he is inflicting. Macron and Carney called for an immediate end to Israel’s military offensive and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu responded by accusing the leaders of “offering a huge prize” for the October 7 attacks “while inviting more such atrocities.”
On Tuesday, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the BBC radio program Today that the comments in the joint statement from the UK, France and Canada were “robust words” but the real test was whether the U.N. can get more aid in.
A Mercy Corps aid worker who goes by the alias Osama told Newsweek from the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone how the rate of evacuation orders had dramatically increased over the last few days.
He said recent days of hostilities were extremely intense, exacerbating the dire food situation, which has led to international warnings of an impending famine.
Most people depend on humanitarian aid and cannot afford commodities in the local market, he said, adding most charity community kitchens had to shut because due to depleted stocks during the blockade.
“The humanitarian conditions have reached a really alarming situation,” he said as he expressed hope that international pressure could help alleviate the situation.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council will discuss suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement signed in 2000 under Article 2 of the accord if Brussels determines Israel is committing grave violations of human rights.
The war in Gaza began after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Hamas still holds 58 captives, around a third of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel launched another major offensive in the territory in recent days with the aim of returning the hostages. Following international pressure from Israel’s allies, Netanyahu’s government has said it would allow a “basic” amount of aid into Gaza to prevent a “hunger crisis.”
Palestinian children play near the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA headquarters gate in Gaza City, on May 20, 2025.
Palestinian children play near the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA headquarters gate in Gaza City, on May 20, 2025.
BASHAR TALEB/Getty Images
Fletcher said that the five aid trucks that entered Gaza on Monday were a mere “drop in the ocean” compared to what is needed and that there are “14,000 babies that will die in the next 48 hours unless we can reach them.”
Israeli strikes hit Gaza overnight into Tuesday, killing at least 60 people, according to Palestinian health officials, the Associated Press reported. The outlet said that more than 300 had died since the start of the latest offensive.
In notable criticism within Israel of its wartime conduct, Yair Golan, a retired general and leader of the opposition Democrats party, told Reshet Bet radio that Israel was becoming a pariah because of the Netanyahu government’s approach to the war, the AP reported. Netanyahu criticized the remarks as “wild incitement” against Israeli soldiers.
What People Are Saying
Statement from U.K., French and Canadian leaders, Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney: “We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable.”
Mercy Corps aid worker Osama, to Newsweek: “Any pressure by the EU will be beneficial for us and I hope will change something because the situation is really bad.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement: “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7.”
What Happens Next
The calls for reviewing EU-Israel Association Agreement came from the Netherlands and has been backed by France, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, Sweden and at least four other EU nations. However, it would require unanimity among all 27 members. Aid groups and the U.N. have warned of an impending famine if aid does not arrive quickly.