May 20, 2025: The leaders of Britain, Canada, and France have strongly criticized Israel for what they called “egregious actions” in Gaza. These three countries, in join statement released on Monday (19 May 2025), have warned Isreal of possible sanctions, if it does not stop its renewed military offensives and the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid. 

What Sparked the Warning?

The warning came after Israel launched a new wave of air and ground operations in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel plans to take control of the entire Gaza Strip. At the same time, Israel has kept Gaza under a strict aid blockade since early March, allowing only a very limited number of supply trucks to enter. This has caused severe shortages of food and other essentials, with international experts warning that famine is looming in Gaza. 

The Leaders’ Concerns

The level of human suffering in Gaza is “intolerable”, said the leaders- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. They criticized Israel for blocking essential humanitarian aid and for statements by some Israeli ministers suggesting the mass displacement of Palestinians. The joint statement by the three leaders said, “The Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law”. 

They also condemned any attempts to expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank, calling them illegal and a threat to the possibility of a future Palestinian state. 

Calls for Immediate Action

Britain, Canada, and France joined 22 other countries in demanding that Israel immediately allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza, noting that the population faces starvation. They called the recent move by Israel to allow a small amount of food into Gaza “wholly inadequate.”

The three countries said they support Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism but called the current escalation “wholly disproportionate.” They also expressed their support for international efforts, led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 

Israel’s Response

Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the criticism, calling the joint statement a “huge prize” for Hamas. He argued that Israel’s actions are necessary to pressure Hamas to release hostages and to protect Israeli security. Netanyahu also said the limited aid access is to prevent images of mass starvation, which could hurt Israel’s position internationally.