“The humanitarian catastrophe must end now”

Berlin (d.de) – Germany, the United Kingdom and France have issued a joint statement calling on all parties to bring the war in Gaza to an immediate end by declaring a ceasefire. They also demanded the immediate release of all hostages and stressed the need to disarm Hamas. “A negotiated ceasefire is the best chance to bring the hostages home, end the suffering of their families and finally provide relief to the civilian population in Gaza,” the statement reads. “The humanitarian catastrophe we are witnessing in Gaza must end now. The most basic needs of the civilian population – including access to water and food – must be met without delay. Denying life-saving humanitarian aid to civilians is unacceptable,” declared Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 

The three countries are urging the Israeli government to lift restrictions on aid deliveries immediately and allow the UN and other humanitarian organisations to do their work to combat hunger. Israel must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law, the statement continues. What is more, all efforts to assert Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories are firmly rejected.