Gaza: UK, France, Germany, 23 others oppose relocation of Palestinians

Gaza: UK, France, Germany, 23 others oppose relocation of Palestinians

The UK, France, Germany, and 23 other countries have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and strongly condemned any proposals to forcefully relocate Palestinians into “humanitarian cities”, warning that such moves violate international humanitarian law.

In a statement on Monday by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the coalition of nations expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for urgent international action to end the violence.

The statement also rejected any attempts to change the demographic or territorial makeup of the occupied Palestinian territories.

“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid,” the statement read.

The foreign ministers accused the Israeli government of restricting humanitarian access and failing to uphold its obligations under international law.

They called on Israel to immediately lift those restrictions, urging them to facilitate the safe and effective operations of the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies.

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The signatories also voiced outrage over proposals to transfer Palestinian civilians into designated areas away from their homes — an idea that has reportedly circulated among some Israeli political circles and think tanks.

“Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a ‘humanitarian city’ are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law,” they warned.

In addition, the group condemned continued Israeli settlement expansion, citing the recently announced E1 settlement plan, which they said would divide the Palestinian state into two and “critically undermine the two-state solution.”

The joint statement also condemned the actions of Hamas either, denouncing the group’s continued detention of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The coalition called for their “immediate and unconditional release,” saying a negotiated ceasefire offers the best chance to bring them home.

The statement reflects growing international frustration with the prolonged conflict in Gaza, now in its second year.

“We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,” the statement concluded.

The declaration was signed by the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, and 23 other countries, including Canada, Japan, and Australia, as well as the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.

It reaffirms support for mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, and signals that the signatories may take further action to press for peace if the situation does not improve.

Gaza: UK, France, Germany, 23 others oppose relocation of Palestinians