Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, accusing them of effectively rewarding Hamas by calling for a halt to Israel’s intensified military campaign in Gaza.
In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney denounced what they described as Israel’s “egregious” escalation in Gaza. The three leaders urged Netanyahu to end the renewed military offensive and ease restrictions on humanitarian aid, warning that failure to do so would trigger unspecified “concrete actions” in response.
While reaffirming their longstanding support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism, they emphasized that the current military response was “wholly disproportionate.” The leaders also reiterated their call for Hamas to immediately release the hostages taken during its deadly assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu, in a sharply worded response, accused the Western leaders of undermining Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas. “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed, and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7, while inviting more such atrocities,” he declared.
He maintained that Israel’s military campaign would continue until Hamas was completely defeated. “The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled, and Gaza is demilitarised,” Netanyahu said. “No nation can be expected to accept anything less — and Israel certainly won’t.”
Calling the conflict “a war of civilisation over barbarism,” the Israeli leader vowed that his country would continue defending itself “by just means until total victory is achieved.”
Meanwhile, Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian relief chief and a former British diplomat, reported that nine aid trucks were permitted entry into Gaza following a partial lifting of Israel’s blockade. However, he stressed that the aid delivered was insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis. “It is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed,” Fletcher said, warning that ongoing bombardments, hunger, and insecurity continue to pose significant threats to humanitarian operations.
