GENEVA / LONDON / BERLIN / PARIS – July 26, 2025
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza reached a critical juncture today as French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a powerful joint declaration, urging an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Their unified call comes amidst increasingly stark warnings from the United Nations that the crisis has transcended humanitarian dimensions, becoming a profound “moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.”
In a statement following a tripartite phone call, the three European leaders emphasized that a negotiated truce represents “the best chance to bring the hostages home, end the anguish of their families, and finally bring relief to the civilian population in Gaza.”
They unequivocally declared the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as “unacceptable,” stressing that “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.” The leaders further called on Israel to immediately lift restrictions on aid deliveries and allow the UN and other humanitarian organizations to operate without obstruction, underscoring Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Beyond the immediate humanitarian concerns, the joint declaration also voiced strong opposition to any efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territories, warning that threats of annexation, settlement expansion, and acts of settler violence against Palestinians severely undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution. They also stated that Hamas must be disarmed and excluded from any future governance of Gaza.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a searing indictment of the international community’s response to the crisis. Speaking via video link to Amnesty International’s global assembly, Guterres slammed the “lack of compassion, the lack of truth, the lack of humanity” shown by too many, describing the widespread starvation in Gaza as a “moral crisis that challenges the global conscience.” He reiterated his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access, stating, “Words don’t feed hungry children.” Guterres revealed alarming statistics, noting that since May 27, the UN has recorded over 1,000 Palestinians killed while trying to access food supplies, emphasizing that these individuals were “killed not in combat, but in desperation – while the entire population starves.”
In a concrete step to address the deepening crisis, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office announced that the UK is “taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance.” This initiative comes as aid groups warn of surging cases of starvation, particularly among children, in war-ravaged Gaza. The announcement was made following Starmer’s emergency talks with President Macron and Chancellor Merz, during which they agreed on the “appalling” situation in Gaza and the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid delivery.
The international community continues to grapple with the escalating crisis, with today’s joint declaration and UN warnings highlighting the urgent need for concerted action to alleviate suffering and work towards a lasting resolution in the region.
