UK, France, Germany Urge Immediate End to Gaza Humanitarian Catastrophe

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany on Friday issued a joint plea to halt what they described as an “unacceptable humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, urging Israel to immediately lift aid restrictions and allow unfettered access to humanitarian agencies.

In a statement released from Berlin, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the urgency of the crisis: “We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and urgently allow the UN and humanitarian NGOs to carry out their work in order to take action against starvation.”

‘Essential Needs Must Be Met Without Delay’

The joint appeal warned that the most basic rights of the civilian population, including access to water and food, are being denied. “Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” the leaders said, stressing that Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law.

The call comes amid warnings from over 100 aid and human rights organizations of “mass starvation” spreading throughout Gaza, following more than 21 months of war. The World Health Organization has described the deepening humanitarian crisis in the coastal strip as “man-made.”

Mounting International Pressure on Israel

Israel has come under increasing international criticism since imposing an aid blockade on Gaza in March, which was only partially eased two months later. The Israeli government has denied responsibility for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.

In their joint statement, the three European leaders declared, “The time has come to end the war in Gaza. We urge all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire.” They further pledged readiness “to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political process that leads to lasting security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.”

Earlier on Friday, UK Prime Minister Starmer announced he would hold an “emergency call” with President Macron and Chancellor Merz to address the Gaza situation.

Tensions Mount Amid Diplomatic Fractures

The renewed push for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief comes a day after French President Macron formally recognized the State of Palestine, a move hailed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as a “victory for the Palestinian cause” and praised by Hamas as “a positive step.”

However, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the gesture as ineffective. “He’s a very good guy, I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight,” Trump said of Macron’s recognition. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sarcastically questioned the practicality of the move, suggesting Macron did not even specify where the Palestinian state would be.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot responded on Friday, stating that the recognition counters Hamas’ longstanding rejection of a two-state solution. “By recognising Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organisation,” he said, adding that France is “backing the side of peace against the side of war.”

Human Toll Mounts in Protracted Conflict

According to figures compiled by AFP from official sources, the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,219 people, most of them civilians. Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has claimed 59,676 lives, the majority of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during the initial assault, 49 are still believed to be held in Gaza, including 27 whom the Israeli military has declared dead.

As diplomatic initiatives accelerate, international focus remains fixed on ending the war and addressing Gaza’s rapidly worsening humanitarian emergency.