Monday 28 countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan and many European nations, published a joint declaration calling Israel that the war against Gaza “must now end”, marking the last example of intensification of criticism from the allies of Israel.
The joint declaration, signed by the foreign ministers of these countries, condemned “food drips aid and the inhuman murder of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most fundamental needs of water and food”.
The declaration comes as global pressure rises on Israel on civilian victims of aid sites, the obstruction of humanitarian aid and violations of international humanitarian law – while the occupied Palestinian territory is simmering in famine.
The War of Israel against Gaza killed more than 59,000 people and injured 140,000 since the attacks of October 7, 2023 by Hamas, in which 1,139 people were killed and more than 200 were taken in captivity.
So what does the joint declaration say? Who are these countries? And how did Israel and its nearest ally, the United States reacted?
What does the declaration say?
The joint declaration said that countries come together “with a simple and urgent message: the war in Gaza must end now”.
The declaration stressed that the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached “new depths” and that the Israeli government’s help model is “dangerous, feeds instability and deprives gas of human dignity”.
They called on the Israeli government to “comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law” and immediately raised restrictions on the flow of aid.
The group of countries also noted that the captives “cruelly detained” by Hamas continue to “suffer terribly” and have called their immediate and unconditional release.
They declared in the press release that a negotiated ceasefire offers “the best hope of bringing (the captives) to the house and putting an end to the agony of their families”.
Demographic change, violence of the colonists: What does the countries say?
The countries have criticized the plan of Israel to establish a concentration area – the vision of Israel to move the entire Palestinian population in a fenced and strongly controlled area built on the ruins of Rafah – as “completely unacceptable”.
“Forced permanent displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law,” said the joint declaration.
The group of countries also marked its opposition to “any stage towards a territorial or demographic change in the occupied Palestinian territories” and noted that the announced E1 regulation plan would divide a Palestinian state in two, “marking a blatant offense of international law and critically undermine (underpay) the solution to two states”.
They also called that “the colonial building through the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has accelerated while the violence of the colonists against the Palestinians has skyrocketed. It must stop. “
What countries have signed the joint declaration?
The joint declaration was signed by the foreign ministers of a total of 28 countries:
Australia, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Porand, Portugal, Slovenian, Spain, Swederland and United Kingdom.
These governments, including many allies of Israel, have published part of their strongest language to date, condemning the obstruction of aid in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Which of these countries recognizes Palestine?
Of these 28 countries of the joint declaration, nine recognize the state of Palestine as a sovereign state.
Cyprus, Malta and Poland recognized Palestine shortly after the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in 1988.
Iceland followed in 2011 and Sweden in 2014. Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain recognized Palestine in 2024.
How did Israel react?
Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote on X that Israel rejects the joint declaration published by the group of countries, “as it is disconnected from reality and sends the bad message to Hamas”.
Israel has also said that instead of accepting a cease-fire, “Hamas is busy carrying out a campaign to spread lies on Israel” and deliberately acting to increase friction and civilians’ damage that receives humanitarian aid.
The press release also said that there is a “concrete proposal for a cease-fire contract” and that Hamas “stubbornly refuses to accept it”.
What does Hamas say on the ceasefire?
Hamas’ military wing spokesman said ISRAEL was the one who rejected a cease-fire agreement to release all the captives held in Gaza.
Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida said in a pre -recorded video, published on Friday, that the group had proposed in recent months a “full agreement” which would release all captives at the same time – but it was rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far -right ministers.
“It has become clear to us that the government of the criminal Netanyahu has no real interest in captives because they are soldiers,” he said, adding that Hamas promotes an agreement that guarantees the end of the war, a withdrawal of Israeli forces and the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians.
Hamas still holds 50 people in Gaza, around twenty of whom are alive.
What does Israel prevent it from Gaza, saying that Hamas can use it?
Israel continues to block the entry of essential humanitarian supplies in Gaza, saying that Hamas could divert them or reuse them for military use.
Among the items selected are: baby formula, food, water filters and medicines.
Medicine and medical supplies face blocks in the context of the “double use” restrictions of Israel, where elements such as pain relievers and dialysis equipment are retained, ostensibly for a possible exploitation of Hamas in military contexts.
Other medical equipment, such as oxygen cylinders, anesthetics and cancer drugs, have been restricted.
Israeli authorities argue that certain elements, such as certain chemicals or electronic products, may have double -use potential.
Aid groups report that the refusal of coverage of crucial medical articles pushes the Gaza health system towards total collapse and affirms that these restrictions are collective sanctions and violations of international humanitarian law.