UK, France, Canada Warn Israel Of Potential Sanctions Over Ongoing Gaza Conflict

The United Kingdom, France, and Canada have jointly warned Israel that continued military escalation in Gaza could trigger “concrete actions,” according to a report by the BBC on Monday.

In a rare coordinated statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Israel to “stop its military operations” and to “immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.”

The leaders described the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as “intolerable,” citing a total blockade in place since early March that has restricted access to food, fuel, and medical supplies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rejected the criticism. He accused the three Western leaders of effectively “rewarding Hamas” by calling for an end to the war before the militant group is defeated. Netanyahu argued that proposals for a ceasefire and the establishment of a Palestinian state would only embolden further attacks on Israel.

Over the weekend, Netanyahu announced that Israel would allow a “basic amount of food” into Gaza following the 11-week blockade. However, he reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to maintaining control over the territory.

In response, the joint statement from the UK, France, and Canada dismissed the move as “wholly inadequate” and warned it could constitute a breach of international humanitarian law.

The leaders also condemned comments from some Israeli officials suggesting the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians. The statement reiterated that such rhetoric is inconsistent with legal norms and would represent a violation of international law.

The United Nations echoed these concerns. UN humanitarian relief chief Tom Fletcher described the current level of aid entering Gaza as “a drop in the ocean” compared to the overwhelming scale of need.

While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense, the joint statement emphasized that the military response has become disproportionate.

The three nations also called on Hamas to release hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 attacks, which left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Israeli authorities estimate that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 23 believed to be alive.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.

In their statement, the UK, France, and Canada reiterated calls for a ceasefire and renewed support for a two-state solution—proposing the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Netanyahu rejected this vision, instead invoking former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the region and calling on European leaders to adopt a similar approach.