UK, France, Canada threaten sanctions against Israel if it continues new offensive in Gaza

International experts have warned that Gaza could suffer an imminent famine due to continued offensive and cut in aid supply.

By: Express Web Desk

May 20, 2025 05:22 AM IST

3 min read

Israel has continued a total blockade on aid supply since March 2 in Gaza. (AP Photo)

In a surprising turn of events, leaders from UK, France and Canada on Monday made it clear that they would move to sanction Israel if it does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift the aid restrictions, which has put mounting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move towards a ceasefire agreement with militant group Hamas.

As Netanyahu announced the plan that Israel would take control of the entire Gaza last Monday, the Israeli military moved inside the Palestinian territory after announcing its new operation on Friday. International experts have warned that Gaza could suffer an imminent famine due to continued offensive and cut in the supply of aid.

A joint statement released by the British government said, “The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law.”

The statement, by UK, France and Canada further added, “We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank…We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions.”

The statement supported the efforts made by US, Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and impose an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as the three countries said they were committed to the formation of a Palestinian state as the solution to achieve the two-state.

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The statement by UK, France and Canada coincided with a joint statement by 22 countries (including the three nations), to immediately allow full resumption of aid supply into Gaza, as the statement noted that the region’s population faces starvation.

Meanwhile, Israel, which has continued a total blockade on aid supply since March 2, allowed a few trucks to supply a limited quantity of aid in Gaza.

Netanyahu said “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,” Reuters reported.

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