Greece, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and Slovenia issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli government’s decision for further military action in Gaza.
The statement emphasizes that “it is time for diplomacy, not more war,” while revealing that the five countries have requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting on the issue.
The declaration underlines that the planned expansion carries serious risks of violating international humanitarian law. The signatories call on Israel to immediately withdraw the decision and avoid any action that violates international law, such as annexation or settlement expansion.
Full statement from European UN Security Council member states:
“We, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, have requested an urgent Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza.
We condemn the Israeli Government’s decision to further extend military operations in Gaza. This plan risks violating international humanitarian law. We call on Israel to immediately reverse this decision and not implement it.
We reiterate that any attempts at annexation or settlement expansion violate international law.
The expansion of military operations will endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and will lead to further unnecessary suffering.
This week, the Security Council heard a moving testimony from Eli David, brother of Eviatar David, who was brutally abducted by Hamas on October 7 and has been held under inhumane conditions in Gaza for over 21 months.
His presentation was a stark reminder that the ordeal of the remaining hostages and their families must end. The Security Council has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. And we are clear that Hamas must be disarmed and have no future role in Gaza’s governance, where the Palestinian Authority must play a central role.
But this decision by the Israeli Government will not ensure the return of the hostages and further endangers their lives.
It will also worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and risks causing more deaths and mass displacement of Palestinian civilians.
The IPC has warned that famine is unfolding in Gaza. Children are dying from starvation. Hunger is so severe that desperate civilians risk their lives at humanitarian aid distribution points to feed their families.
This is a man-made crisis and therefore urgent action is essential to stop the starvation and increase aid to Gaza.
We have a clear message to Israel: lift restrictions on aid delivery so that the UN and established humanitarian partners can operate safely and at scale, in accordance with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
It is also vital that international NGOs can operate in Gaza. Unjustified visa and registration requirements by Israel must be removed and all land routes opened for essential supplies, including food, infant formula, medicines, fuel and clean water.
After 22 months of suffering in Gaza, now is the time for diplomacy, not more war.
The ceasefire earlier this year showed what can be achieved when there is political will. It ended the carnage. Hostages were reunited with their loved ones. The international conference on the two-state solution last month, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was a powerful demonstration of international determination to secure a better future and deliver long-term peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the region.
We call on both sides to secure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and urgently advance efforts to achieve a two-state solution.”
