Britain joins 24 nations demanding Israel end war in Gaza claiming bloody conflict has plumbed ‘new depths'
The joint statement said it was 'horrifying' that more than 800 Palestinians in the strife-torn Hamas terror stronghold have been killed seeking food - including dozens yesterday.
But Israeli forces stepped up action in the central Gazan city of Deir al-Balah yesterday - despite fears October 7 hostages are being held there.
An unprecedented joint statement condemning the war was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
It said: 'We come together with a simple, urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now. The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.
'We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.
'The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023 continue to suffer terribly. We condemn their continued detention and call for their immediate and unconditional release.
"A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.'
Israel's strongman president Benjamin Netanyahu was urged to heed Donald Trump's US peace moves.
The statement added: 'Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt.
'We are prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.'
Hamas -controlled health officials said yesterday that the toll of Palestinians killed since Israel attacked following the October 7 terror attacks which killed 1,200 has now topped 59,000.
Parish priest Gabriel Romanelli is being treated after Israel hit Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza
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