Britain, Germany, and France—collectively known as the E3—have jointly called for an immediate Gaza ceasefire and the restoration of full humanitarian access by Israel, as the conflict continues to escalate.
In a statement issued on Friday, the foreign ministers of the three nations expressed deep concern over the growing civilian toll and urged both parties to de-escalate. The E3 emphasized the urgent need for Israel to resume vital services such as water, electricity, and medical aid to Gaza in line with international humanitarian law.
E3 Calls for Protection of Civilians and Hostage Release
The E3 foreign ministers said they were “appalled by the civilian casualties” resulting from the ongoing conflict, and pressed Hamas to release Israeli hostages without delay. They stressed that any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be political—not military.
“A long-lasting ceasefire is the only credible pathway to peace,” the ministers affirmed.
Shock Over UN Facility Incident
The joint statement also addressed the recent incident involving the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) building in Gaza, with the E3 expressing that they were “deeply shocked” and called for a full investigation into the matter.
The ministers reiterated the importance of protecting civilians and upholding international humanitarian law amid the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.
