Six European Countries Condemn Latest Israeli Attack On Gaza, Urge Immediate Ceasefire

The foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain have condemned the latest Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the Israeli entity's announcement of its intention to establish a permanent presence in Gaza City.

In a joint statement, the ministers stressed that "the escalation of military operations is causing the death of innocent Palestinian civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly," and endangering hostages.

They condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians, considering it a flagrant violation of international law.

The ministers described the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, including centers housing vulnerable displaced persons, as "unacceptable," calling on the Israeli occupation government to "cease its military operations immediately."

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They said, "We are shocked by the confirmation of famine in the Gaza Strip, according to the International Crisis Group (IPC) Food Security Phase Classification, and by the risk of disease spreading to surrounding areas in the coming weeks."

They stressed the need for Israel to uphold its humanitarian obligations and allow UN agencies and international organizations to fully operate to mitigate the humanitarian catastrophe.

The ministers also expressed their deep concern about colonial expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law.

They warned of the escalation of settler attacks carried out with impunity, stressing that these practices constitute a serious obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution.

They affirmed that the international community "will not remain silent in the face of human rights violations," emphasizing the need to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement that paves the way for peace.

The ministers reiterated their call for the immediate release of all prisoners and for the rapid, widespread, and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The statement was signed by: Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdottir; Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris; Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Xavier Bettel; Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide; Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon; and Spain's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.

This picture taken from a position on the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows an Israeli Apache helicopter releasing flares over the Palestinian territory on August 29, 2025. (Photo by Jack Guez / AFP)

Rising numbers of martyrs

The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has risen to 63,025 martyrs and 159,490 wounded.

The death toll since the renewed Israeli aggression on March 18 has reached 11,178 martyrs and 47,449 wounded.

The Israeli occupation army resumed its aggression on the Gaza Strip after violating the ceasefire agreement on March 18, following a two-month hiatus, targeting various areas of the Strip, which is already facing an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy after 22 months of war.

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