European nations, led by Spain, publicly criticize Israel's latest military action targeting Gaza
The European foreign ministers have strongly condemned Israel’s planned military offensive in Gaza City, warning that these actions will cause an unacceptably high number of Palestinian civilian deaths and forcibly displace nearly one million people.
In a joint statement, foreign ministers from Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia expressed their concerns about the impending offensive, set to begin in October, which involves a forced evacuation of Gaza's residents who have two months to leave before the military enters.
The foreign ministers emphasize that this military escalation will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, endanger hostages held by Hamas, and represent a serious obstacle to achieving a negotiated two-state solution, which they regard as the only viable path to lasting peace.
The ministers repeat their previous demands for an immediate ceasefire agreement, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the swift, unimpeded, and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. They also reiterate their stance that any demographic or territorial changes in the occupied Palestinian territories are a violation of International Law and International Humanitarian Law.
The foreign ministers further insist that the Gaza Strip must be an integral part of the State of Palestine, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. They also emphasize that Hamas cannot have any role in the future government or security agreements in Gaza, and must be disarmed.
Separately, a grouping including foreign ministers from Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, the UK, and the EU High Representative also strongly rejects Israel’s escalation. They describe the offensive as risking breaches of international humanitarian law, worsening famine risks, and further civilian displacement.
The foreign ministers urge Israel to allow humanitarian organizations to operate freely and criticize the militarized food distribution system. They similarly insist on a political resolution based on the two-state solution and the demilitarization of Hamas.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot specifically deplored the ground offensive as aggravating the crisis, called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, an end to displacement, and condemned Israeli settlement expansion plans that threaten the West Bank’s territorial integrity, particularly the E1 settlement project, which jeopardizes the two-state solution.
In summary, the European foreign ministers:
- Condemn Israel’s planned military offensive and occupation of Gaza City
- Warn of grave humanitarian consequences: mass civilian deaths and displacement
- Call for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access
- Demand the release and humane treatment of hostages held by Hamas
- Reject annexation and settlement expansion as violations of international law
- Reaffirm commitment to a negotiated two-state solution that includes a demilitarized Gaza under Palestinian Authority governance.
- The joint statement from Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia, along with other foreign ministers from Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, the UK, France, and the EU High Representative, articulates their shared concerns about war-and-conflicts, specifically Israel's planned military offensive in Gaza City.
- In their statements, these foreign ministers express their concerns about the impact of politics (the military offensive) on art (the potential destruction of Gaza City) and general news (the humanitarian crisis and displacement of nearly one million people).
