What's happened
On July 21-22, 2025, foreign ministers from 28 countries, including Australia, the UK, France, and Canada, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's aid restrictions and civilian deaths in Gaza. They called for an immediate ceasefire, criticized Israel's aid delivery model, and rejected plans for forced displacement. Israel dismissed the statement as disconnected from reality, blaming Hamas for ongoing violence. Meanwhile, hunger-related deaths in Gaza have surged, with over 100 people, including 80 children, dying from starvation since October 2023 amid a blockade and restricted aid.
What's behind the headline?
International Pressure and Humanitarian Crisis
The joint statement by 28 countries marks a significant diplomatic escalation, especially as many signatories are traditional allies of Israel. Their condemnation of Israel's "aid delivery model" as "dangerous" and "inhumane" signals growing frustration with the ongoing blockade and civilian suffering. The criticism of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the US, highlights tensions between different aid distribution mechanisms and concerns over impartiality and safety.
The Complexity of Aid and Security
Israel's insistence that Hamas exploits aid shipments complicates humanitarian efforts. The GHF's control over aid, bypassing UN channels, has led to deadly incidents near distribution sites, fueling international condemnation. This dynamic underscores the challenge of delivering aid in conflict zones where security and political control are deeply intertwined.
Famine and Starvation as a Weapon
Reports of over 100 starvation deaths, including many children, emphasize the severity of Gaza's humanitarian crisis. The lack of formal famine declaration is attributed to data collection difficulties amid restricted access. The use of starvation as a tactic in warfare, as alleged by international bodies, raises grave legal and ethical concerns.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
The rejection of the joint statement by Israel and the US, blaming Hamas for prolonging the conflict, reflects entrenched positions that hinder ceasefire progress. The call for an immediate ceasefire and political pathway to peace by the signatories contrasts with ongoing military operations and stalled negotiations. The proposed "humanitarian city" plan by Israel, condemned as forced displacement, further complicates prospects for resolution.
Impact on Global Audiences
This crisis will continue to affect international relations, humanitarian policies, and public opinion worldwide. The growing international consensus against the blockade and civilian harm may pressure Israel to alter its approach, but entrenched hostilities and security concerns suggest the conflict and humanitarian suffering will persist in the near term.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that "Thirty-three Palestinians have starved to death over the past 48 hours," with the total hunger deaths since October 2023 reaching 101, including 80 children, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation. It also details the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's controversial role in aid distribution, noting that "humanitarian groups have refused to work with the GHF," and that aid sites have been scenes of deadly violence.
Al Jazeera and SBS News both cover the joint statement by 28 countries condemning Israel's "drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians," emphasizing the call for an immediate ceasefire and lifting of aid restrictions. Al Jazeera notes the statement as "a significant escalation from Israel's allies," while Israel's Foreign Ministry dismisses it as "disconnected from reality," blaming Hamas for the violence and rejecting ceasefire proposals.
The Times of Israel provides detailed coverage of the joint statement's condemnation of Israel's "aid delivery model," the opposition to the "humanitarian city" plan, and the call for the release of hostages. It also reports Israel's rejection of the statement and its assertion that Hamas is responsible for the lack of ceasefire and hostage release.
The Independent highlights the foreign ministers' description of the forced relocation plan as "completely unacceptable" and their condemnation of the "inhumane killing of civilians," reinforcing the international community's growing alarm over Gaza's humanitarian crisis.
Together, these sources illustrate a complex narrative: international condemnation of Israel's blockade and aid policies, Israel's security concerns and rejection of criticism, and the escalating humanitarian disaster marked by starvation and civilian deaths. The coverage underscores the political and humanitarian stakes entwined in the Gaza conflict.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,100 people and taking hostages. Israel responded with a military offensive on Gaza, resulting in over 59,000 Palestinian deaths and a blockade restricting food, fuel, and medical supplies. Humanitarian agencies warn of a worsening famine and mass starvation in Gaza, with aid distribution hampered by security concerns and violence near aid sites.
Go deeper
- What are the main reasons for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
- How has Israel responded to international criticism over aid restrictions?
- What are the prospects for a ceasefire and peace negotiations?
Common question
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Why Are International Leaders Calling for Gaza Aid Access?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to urgent calls from global leaders for increased humanitarian aid access. With civilians suffering and aid restrictions in place, many are asking why international intervention is necessary and what is being done to help. Below, we explore the reasons behind these calls, the current stance of Israel, and the broader international response to this crisis.
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Why are international countries demanding an end to the Gaza war?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has drawn widespread international attention, with 28 countries calling for an immediate ceasefire. Understanding why so many nations are demanding an end to the war involves exploring the humanitarian crisis, diplomatic tensions, and regional stability concerns. Below, we answer key questions about this complex situation and what it means for global peace efforts.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.