10 Nations, EU Strongly Reject Israel’s Decision for Expanded Gaza Offensive

The foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, along with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, have strongly rejected the Israeli Security Cabinet’s August 8 decision to launch a new, large-scale military operation in Gaza.

In a joint statement, they warned that such an offensive would worsen the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, and heighten the risk of mass displacement of civilians. They stressed that Israel’s announced plans risk violating international humanitarian law, and that any attempt to annex territory or expand settlements constitutes a breach of international law.

The statement urged all parties and the international community to make every effort to end the conflict immediately through a permanent ceasefire, enabling the delivery of massive, unhindered humanitarian aid, as Gaza faces the worst famine scenarios to date. The ministers also called on Hamas to release all hostages without delay or preconditions, ensuring they are treated humanely and not subjected to cruelty or humiliation.

Highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, they urged the Israeli government to urgently revise its newly introduced registration system for international humanitarian organizations to ensure that these vital actors can resume their essential work, in line with humanitarian principles, to reach civilians in need. They warned that excluding such organizations would be a clear and unacceptable signal.

The ministers reaffirmed their united commitment to a negotiated two-state solution as the only viable path to ensure Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace, security, and dignity. They stressed that achieving such a settlement requires the complete disarmament of Hamas and its total exclusion from any form of governance in Gaza, with the Palestinian Authority playing a central role in the territory’s administration.