Gladness Gideon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly rebuffed calls from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada to end his country’s intensified military operations in Gaza, accusing them of effectively rewarding Hamas for its attacks.
In a rare joint statement on Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney denounced Israel’s military escalation in Gaza as “egregious” and warned of “further concrete actions” if Israel fails to halt its offensive and ease restrictions on humanitarian access.
The leaders emphasized their long-standing support for Israel’s right to self-defense, but stressed that the scale of the current operation had become “wholly disproportionate.”
They also reiterated their demand for Hamas to release all hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack.
In a forceful response, Netanyahu accused the trio of undermining Israel’s security and encouraging extremism.
“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed… they are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7,” he said.
READ ALSO: Israeli Strike on Gaza Building Kills 20 Amid Renewed Hostilities
The Israeli leader insisted that the war would only end under specific conditions: “The release of all hostages, Hamas disarming, its leaders exiled, and Gaza demilitarised.”
“No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t,” Netanyahu added. “This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian relief chief, acknowledged the recent admission of nine aid trucks after Israel partially lifted its blockade, but described the effort as “a drop in the ocean” compared to the urgent needs on the ground.
“With ongoing bombardment and acute hunger, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant,” Fletcher cautioned, expressing tempered expectations for the viability of aid delivery in the coming days.
Tensions between Israel and several of its Western allies appear to be mounting, as international pressure grows for a political resolution to the Gaza conflict and a shift in Netanyahu’s hardline military strategy.