Germany, France, UK demand Gaza truce as 'Israel' escalates aggression

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
22 Mar 2025 10:48

The European allies "are appalled by the civilian casualties," calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as "Israel" resumes the mass slaughter of Palestinians.

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Eyad Abu Jazar holds the body of his nephew, who was killed in Israeli forces airstrikes, at Nasser Hospital morgue in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, March 18, 2025 (AP)

Germany, France, and Britain's foreign ministers issued a joint appeal late Friday, calling for an "immediate return" to the ceasefire in Gaza, as "Israel" renewed its onslaught in the Palestinian territory.

"The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza. We are appalled by the civilian casualties and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire," the ministers said in a statement.

Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, France’s Jean-Noel Barrot, and Britain’s David Lammy stressed that all parties involved must re-engage in negotiations to ensure the full implementation of a ceasefire and the establishment of a permanent "peace".

The ministers further claimed that Hamas must release the captives currently being held in Gaza and that the Resistance group "must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel anymore," overlooking the occupation's series of violations of the ceasefire and consistent attacks on Gaza and its civilians.

Additionally, the European nations urged "Israel" to "fully respect international law" and facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, as the war continues to cause widespread suffering among civilians.

This call for a ceasefire came on the heels of a threat from Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza if Hamas does not release the Israeli captives still held in the enclave.

Katz also explicitly threatened Gaza with genocide and forced displacement on Wednesday, saying "If all kidnapped Israelis are not released and Hamas is not forced out of the Gaza Strip, Israel will act with a force you have never seen before."

'Military pressure kills hostages'

It is worth noting that the "military pressure" strategy has been rejected not only by Hamas but also by Israeli captives and their families.

Yesterday, released captives and 250 relatives of captives held in the Palestinian enclave signed a letter urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its renewed aggression and resume negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 59 captives.

"Stop the fighting. Return to the negotiating table and fully complete an agreement that will return all of the hostages, even at the cost of ending the war," the letter read, warning that "Israel's" military pressure is endangering the captives.

“Military pressure kills hostages and disappears bodies. This is not a slogan, this is reality," it emphasized, recalling that 41 captives were killed in Gaza.