UK, France, Germany say Gaza 'humanitarian catastrophe must end now'
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Starmer, Macron, and Merz emphasize that Gaza’s civilian population must have immediate access to basic necessities like food and clean water.
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Displaced Palestinians wait for donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, on July 22, 2025 (AP)
The leaders of Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement on Friday calling for an immediate end to the "humanitarian catastrophe" unfolding in the Gaza Strip, urging "Israel" to lift aid restrictions and allow critical relief efforts to proceed without obstruction.
"We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and urgently allow the UN and humanitarian NGOs to carry out their work in order to take action against starvation," the statement said, as released by Berlin.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that Gaza’s civilian population must have immediate access to basic necessities like food and clean water. "Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable," they stated, adding that "Israel must uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law."
Their remarks follow warnings from over 100 humanitarian and rights organizations this week that mass starvation is spreading across Gaza, more than 21 months into the war.
The World Health Organization has described the worsening crisis as “man-made|", while "Israel" has denied responsibility. It imposed a near-total blockade on aid entering Gaza in March, which it only partially eased in May, bypassing the long-established UN-led system.
The European leaders also called for an immediate ceasefire. “The time has come to end the war in Gaza,” they said, urging all parties to "bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire."
They reiterated their readiness to support efforts toward a political solution that delivers lasting peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. Starmer had earlier announced he would hold an emergency call on Friday with Macron and Merz to discuss Gaza.
