On Monday (21), the United Kingdom joined 27 other countries to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The document, jointly released, was signed by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Stem, Spanish, Spanish, Spanish Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The statement was also signed by the European Equality Commissioner, Hadja Lahbib.
In the letter, the group of countries also expressed opposition to any attempt to alter demography or Palestinian territory, including the Israeli project to build a “humanitarian enclave” in southern Gaza, where all Palestinians would be displaced.
The international community reinforces the request for immediate ceasefire, greater access to humanitarian aid and hostage release.
About two million Palestinians are still under siege in Gaza, facing a humanitarian crisis, with an imminent risk of extreme hunger. The conflict, which has lasted more than 21 months, began after the unprecedented terrorist attack of the Hamas Group in Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.
Recent images show scenes of Palestinians dying in food distribution lines. Before, when humanitarian aid was coordinated by the UN, there were over 400 distribution points. Today, under the control of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial American organization, supported by Israel and the United States, there are only four active points. GHF began operations at the end of May after a blockade of more than two months imposed by Israel.
Despite the international appeal, analysts point out that pressure on Israel will only have a concrete effect if the United States intervenes directly. Premier Benjamin Netanyahu tries to prolong the conflict to strengthen his political position.
At the same time, Israel follows military operations, focusing on Hamas structures, while facing criticism from various countries and the UN for conducting humanitarian aid.
