Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticised Western leaders for urging an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accusing them of emboldening Islamist terrorist group Hamas and undermining Israel’s right to defend itself after the October 7 massacre.
In a forceful statement, Netanyahu said: “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed, and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7, while inviting more such atrocities.”
Netanyahu reminded the world that the war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal cross-border attack, killing around 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking more than 250 hostages into Gaza, many of whom remain in captivity.
The Israeli leader rejected growing international calls for a ceasefire and reiterated that Israel will not stop its military operations until key conditions are met: the release of all hostages, disarmament of Hamas, exile of its leadership, and full demilitarisation of Gaza.
“Israel accepts President Trump’s vision and urges all European leaders to do the same. The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised. No nation can be expected to accept anything less—and Israel certainly won’t,” he stated.
Calling the conflict a “war of civilisation over barbarism,” Netanyahu insisted that Israel would continue to defend itself “by just means until total victory is achieved.”
The Israeli PM’s remarks come in direct response to a joint statement issued by France, the United Kingdom and Canada, which condemned the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza as “disproportionate” and warned of possible sanctions.
“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable… We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions,” the statement read. The leaders further called for the immediate release of hostages and full, unrestricted humanitarian access into Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron added: “The level of human suffering is intolerable. We must all work toward implementing the two-state solution.”
The joint statement warned that permanent forced displacement of Gaza’s civilian population would be a breach of international humanitarian law and condemned inflammatory rhetoric from some Israeli officials.
Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong echoed these concerns, joining a joint donor statement that included the EU and nearly two dozen countries. The statement criticised Israel for blocking humanitarian aid for over two months, warning that the population of Gaza faces starvation and medical collapse.
“We urge all parties to return to a ceasefire and hostage deal,” Wong said, emphasising that aid organisations must be allowed to operate freely.
The donor group rejected Israel’s new model for aid delivery, warning that it places both beneficiaries and humanitarian workers at risk and politicises aid, undermining international humanitarian law.
While Netanyahu insists on a military victory to eliminate Hamas—classified as a terrorist organisation by the US, EU, UK, Australia and others—international leaders are increasingly rallying around a ceasefire, humanitarian relief, and a renewed push for a two-state solution.
The upcoming 18 June High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, is seen as a pivotal moment. Western powers have pledged to work with the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and regional actors to create a post-Hamas future for Gaza.
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