The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have jointly condemned the Israeli Security Cabinet’s August 8 decision to launch an additional large-scale military operation in Gaza, warning that it will worsen the humanitarian crisis and heighten civilian risks.
In a coordinated statement, the five nations said the move would “endanger the lives of the hostages” and “further risk the mass displacement of civilians,” urging all parties to focus on a negotiated two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.
“We are united in our commitment to the implementation of a negotiated two-state solution as the only way to guarantee that both Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security, and dignity,” the statement read.
In a significant policy shift, Germany announced it would suspend all exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza war, effective immediately and “until further notice.”
The decision marks a rare divergence among Israel’s key allies and comes amid mounting global calls for restraint as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.
–Input WAM
