Foreign ministers call for immediate Gaza ceasefire in joint statement
The joint statement, led by the UK government and endorsed by several EU foreign ministers as well as countries such as Canada, Australia, and Japan, declared that 'the war in Gaza must end now.'
The letter called on the Israeli government to 'immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid' and to allow the UN and humanitarian NGOs to operate freely and deliver assistance to civilians.
It also expressed opposition to any steps aimed at altering the status of the occupied Palestinian Territories, specifically referencing Israel's E1 settlement plan.
"If implemented, [it] would divide a Palestinian state in two, marking a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermine the two-state solution," it said.
Equality Commission Hadja Lahbib, who also signed the letter, stated in a post on X that the crisis in Gaza had reached 'an intolerable level.' She added: 'Only an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire can end the suffering.'
The signatories also said they were prepared to take 'further action' to support an immediate ceasefire and advance 'a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.' (aw)
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