In a significant show of solidarity and concern, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom expressed deep alarm over the recent escalation of violence in Gaza, calling for an immediate return to a ceasefire and the restoration of humanitarian access. In a joint statement released on March 22, 2025, the foreign ministers of the three European nations articulated their profound dismay regarding the renewed Israeli attacks, lamenting the rising toll of civilian casualties.
"The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the captives, their families, and the entire region," the E3 (as the trio is known) stated. They underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire, emphasizing that the ongoing conflict cannot be resolved through military means. "A return to fighting will only result in the deaths of more Palestinian civilians and Israeli captives," they warned.
The military actions since Tuesday, March 18, 2025, have led to over 700 Palestinian deaths and more than 1,000 injuries, shattering a previously established ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement. This latest violence has raised the total estimated Palestinian dead since the onset of the Israeli offensive on October 7, 2023, to nearly 50,000, with injuries surpassing 113,000 according to official reports.
The E3's statement went further to call for Israel to restore humanitarian access, including essential services like water and electricity, and to ensure medical assistance and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law. They condemned an Israeli attack on the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) guesthouse in central Gaza, where one staff member was killed and others injured, some of whom were European citizens. "UN personnel and its premises should be protected and never be a target," the statement declared, demanding a full investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II reiterated the call for immediate international intervention to halt the violence in Gaza. In a conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Abdullah underscored the necessity of resuming humanitarian aid to address the escalating crisis. He also voiced Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas, which has faced significant military pressure in the ongoing conflict, reaffirmed its commitment to all terms of the agreed ceasefire while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has encountered pushback from political hardliners regarding further negotiations. The deadlock has led to growing frustration among international observers who note that without a return to dialogue, the humanitarian situation will only deteriorate.
In their joint statement, the E3 emphasized, "It is imperative that all parties return to negotiations to ensure the full implementation and permanence of the ceasefire. This includes not only the cessation of hostilities but also humanitarian considerations that must be prioritized to protect civilian lives."
Such statements come against a backdrop of increasing global scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in the region. Just months prior, in November 2024, the International Criminal Court had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes related to the attacks on Gaza.
The situation continues to evolve, with intense calls for a long-lasting ceasefire that can pave the way for a sustainable peace solution, a vital two-state resolution, and ultimately, the reconstruction of Gaza. As the three nations put it, “A long-lasting ceasefire is the only credible pathway towards sustainable peace.”
The international community watches closely as leaders navigate these complex and fraught demands amidst a rapidly changing and hostile landscape, where the stakes for innocent civilians continue to rise with each passing day of conflict.
