28 countries and EU call for immediate end to Israel’s Gaza offensive amid growing civilian toll

A coalition of 28 countries, along with the European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, has jointly called for an immediate end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The joint statement, issued on 21 July 2025, condemned what it described as the “inhumane killing” of Palestinian civilians, including more than 800 individuals killed near food distribution points.

Foreign ministers from Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia criticised Israel’s aid delivery model, saying it fuels instability and deprives Gazans of dignity.

The coalition singled out the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid mechanism backed by the United States and Israel, stating that the majority of the 800 civilian deaths occurred near its sites.

They also denounced the “drip feeding of aid” into Gaza, describing the growing humanitarian crisis as “horrifying.”

“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” the ministers said. “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.”

Among the 28 signatories were four members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance — the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The inclusion of close allies of Israel and the US marks a notable diplomatic shift.

The coalition said it was “prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace.”

Israel rejects joint call
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the statement, calling it “disconnected from reality” and accusing it of sending “the wrong message to Hamas.”

“The statement fails to focus pressure on Hamas and fails to recognise its role in the current situation,” the ministry said.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reaffirmed that Hamas bears full responsibility for the ongoing conflict and civilian suffering, while US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labelled the joint statement “disgusting” and “irrational,” claiming Hamas had rejected multiple ceasefire offers.

Meanwhile, Israel expanded its ground operations in Gaza, with tanks entering southern and eastern Deir al-Balah on the same day the statement was released — the first such incursion into the area.

Conflict toll continues to climb
The war, now in its 21st month, began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Since then, Gaza’s health authorities report over 59,000 Palestinians killed, including the latest casualties from renewed Israeli operations in Deir al-Balah.

Aid mechanism under scrutiny
The GHF, criticised by the UN for breaching humanitarian neutrality, uses private US security and logistics contractors to deliver aid, largely bypassing UN systems.

Israel and the US claim the UN networks were infiltrated by Hamas, but the UN has warned that the GHF model is unsafe and undermines international standards.

The coalition urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law, lift restrictions on aid, and allow UN agencies to operate freely.

In October 2024, Israel’s Knesset barred the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating in Israeli-controlled territories.

The UK has since announced a £60 million humanitarian aid package for Gaza, while other nations warned that continued obstruction of aid could lead to further diplomatic measures.

A long-term political solution remains elusive, with Israel’s parliament voting overwhelmingly last year against recognising a Palestinian state unilaterally.