The leaders of the UK, France and Germany have jointly urged Israel to allow full humanitarian access to Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire. Earlier, Paris said it plans to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Germany, France, UK leaders press Israel on aid
Leaders of Britain, France and Germany have called on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning of a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
The joint appeal comes after French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to recognize a Palestinian state and followed a call between Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
In it, they demanded an immediate ceasefire and warned that “withholding essential humanitarian assistance” is unacceptable — though the statement broke no new diplomatic ground.
The three leaders said they are ready to take further action to support both a ceasefire and a political process toward lasting security and peace in the region, but did not specify what steps they might take.
Macron’s announcement has revealed divisions among the European trio — known as the E3 — over how to address the humanitarian crisis and bring the Israel-Hamas war to an end.
While all three countries support a Palestinian state in principle, Germany has said it has no immediate plans to follow France’s lead. Macron intends to formalize the recognition at the UN General Assembly in September.
Britain also has not joined the move. On Friday, 221 members of the UK Parliament signed a letter urging recognition.
Trump dismisses France’s intention to recognize Palestine as a state
US President Donald Trump has dismissed the decision by France’s Emmanuel Macron to recognize a Palestinian state as pointless.
“What he says doesn’t matter,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “He’s a very good guy, I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight.” Trump told reporters
Trump’s response came after the French president’s announcement yesterday that his country planned to formally recognize the State of Palestine in September at the UN General Assembly.
Israeli to allow foreign aid drops over Gaza, reports say
Israel will once again allow foreign aid to drop over Gaza, sources told media outlets on Friday, as pressure on Israel mounts to end the hunger crisis in the besieged enclave.
“Humanitarian aid air drops on the Gaza Strip will resume in the upcoming days. They will be managed by the UAE and Jordan,” an unnamed Israeli official told the French AFP news agency.
The Israeli army radio also reported the news, with an unnamed military official suggesting air drops could start as early as Friday.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/germany-uk-france-say-gaza-humanitarian-crisis-must-end/live-73407430
