Seven European countries-Iceland, Luxembourg, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, Ireland, and Norway-have issued a joint statement condemning the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza and the West Bank. They decry the escalating humanitarian catastrophe, call for an immediate reversal of Israel’s military policies, and demand the full lifting of the blockade to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid.
Rising Toll and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Since the Israeli offensive began on October 7, 2023, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including men, women, and children. Recent reports from Hamas indicate that more than 250 Palestinians have died amid intensified attacks. The blockade imposed by Israel since March 2, 2025, has severely restricted the entry of food, medicine, and essential supplies, pushing Gaza toward a catastrophic humanitarian situation.
The blockade’s impact has prompted international warnings that many more Palestinians could face starvation in the coming days without urgent intervention.
Joint Statement: A Unified European Response
The seven nations declared:
“We will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza.”
They urged Israel to:
- Immediately reverse its current military policy.
- Halt further military operations.
- Fully lift the blockade to enable safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery by international actors.
The statement also condemned the escalation of violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, highlighting illegal settler violence, settlement expansion, and intensified Israeli military operations as breaches of international law.
Condemnation of Forced Displacement
The countries strongly rejected any forced displacement or expulsion of Palestinians, labeling such actions as unacceptable and violations of international law. They emphasized the need to preserve the demographic and political status quo and called on all parties to respect human rights and humanitarian principles.
European Leaders and Institutional Reactions
Calls for Upholding International Law
Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden expressed grave concern over the situation, emphasizing that international law and civilian protection must be universally applied, whether in Gaza, Ukraine, or elsewhere.
The Council of Europe accused Israel of “intentional starvation” in Gaza, warning that such tactics risk fueling further conflict and the growth of extremist groups like Hamas.
Dora Bakoyannis, Chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Middle East Committee, called for a moral reckoning regarding the treatment of Palestinians, stating that the time for reflection is long overdue.
EU Foreign Ministers’ Stance
During the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on May 7-8, 2025, ministers described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unanimously called for an end to the humanitarian blockade. Some member states, including Finland and the Netherlands, stressed the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and ensuring immediate aid access.
However, divisions persist within the EU, with countries like Hungary and the Czech Republic maintaining strong support for Israel’s security concerns, complicating a unified EU approach.
Urgent Warnings from French and Belgian Officials
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that Gaza is on the brink of collapse, chaos, and famine, urging an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access.
Belgian Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the deliberate stoppage of humanitarian aid as a war strategy, calling it “totally unacceptable” and urging swift international action.
EU High Representative’s Proposal
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas called on Israel to immediately resume humanitarian aid deliveries and proposed that the EU take over aid distribution from NGOs and UN agencies to ensure impartial and efficient delivery.
Legal and International Dimensions
The conflict has drawn international legal scrutiny. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) related to its actions in Gaza.
The European Union is reportedly considering reviewing Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which mandates respect for human rights and democratic principles, in light of ongoing military actions and the blockade.
Broader Humanitarian and Political Implications
The seven European countries’ statement aligns with a growing international consensus demanding an end to hostilities and the lifting of the blockade. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly, with shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel reaching critical levels.
International organizations warn that without immediate intervention, Gaza faces widespread famine and a collapse of essential services, further exacerbating civilian suffering.
The upcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for May 20, 2025, is expected to revisit the crisis, potentially shaping future EU policy and aid strategies.
The joint condemnation by Iceland, Luxembourg, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, Ireland, and Norway marks a significant European stance against the ongoing Israeli military offensive and blockade in Gaza. Highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian toll-over 50,000 Palestinian deaths and looming starvation-the statement calls for an urgent reversal of Israeli policies and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
European leaders and institutions echo these concerns, stressing adherence to international law and the protection of civilians. Despite internal EU divisions, the crisis in Gaza remains a central issue in international diplomacy and legal scrutiny, with mounting pressure on Israel to end its blockade and military operations.
