Call for an Unconditional and Permanent Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip (July 2025)

On 21 July 2025, a joint international statement calling for an “unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip was signed by the foreign ministers of 25 countries and the European Commission’s Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management. The statement outlined concerns regarding the humanitarian situation, access to aid, hostages, displacement policies and obligations under international law.

Background and Signatories of the Statement

The statement, issued on 21 July 2025, was publicly announced under the leadership of the United Kingdom. It was signed by the foreign ministers of 25 countries together with Hadja Lahbib, the relevant commissioner of the European Commission. The signatory countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The joint text has been regarded as one of the clearest and most comprehensive criticisms by Western allies of Israel since the start of the conflict; it directly appeals to the parties based on humanitarian dimensions and legal obligations.

Content of the Statement

Aid Access in Gaza

The statement emphasized that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated to a critical level. It stated that Israel’s model of aid delivery has created instability and forced the population to live under conditions contrary to human dignity. It was noted that the number of civilians killed during efforts to obtain water and food has exceeded 800.

The signatory countries condemned the “drip-by-drip” delivery of humanitarian aid and the resulting civilian casualties, asserting that Israel’s obstruction of essential humanitarian flows violates international humanitarian law. The statement called for all obstacles to be removed to enable the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to operate safely.

Hostages and Emphasis on a Negotiated Ceasefire

The situation of hostages abducted by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and still held in Gaza was also addressed in the statement. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages was demanded, with emphasis that this can only be achieved through a negotiated ceasefire.

The concerned countries affirmed their full support for mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. In this context, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy praised these three countries’ diplomatic initiatives in a speech to parliament.

Protection of Civilians and Criticism of the “Humanitarian Aid City” Plan

The joint statement underscored the necessity of protecting civilians during hostilities and called on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Proposals to relocate the Palestinian population to other areas under the label of “humanitarian aid cities” were deemed unacceptable. The statement affirmed that forced displacement on a permanent basis violates international humanitarian law.

Opposition to Settlement Plans and Demographic Change

The statement also included criticism of Israel’s settlement policies in occupied Palestinian territories. It warned that implementation of the E1 settlement plan, as announced by the Israeli Civil Administration, would fragment the territorial integrity of a future Palestinian state and clearly violate international law.

It was noted that settlement construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has increased, alongside a rise in violent incidents by settlers against Palestinians. These developments were said to undermine the two-state solution process.

Reactions from Israel and the United States

Following the release of the statement, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed its content was “out of touch with reality.” It rejected statements condemning the killing of civilians awaiting aid and asserted that the statement sends the wrong message to Hamas.

The Israeli government stated that it had responded positively to the ceasefire and hostage swap proposal presented during negotiations in Doha, but that Hamas had refused to accept it. The statement also expressed the view that such public declarations and commentary could harm ongoing negotiations.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the statement as “disgusting.” He noted that the statement contained criticism of Israel and failed to apply sufficient pressure on Hamas.

Germany did not sign the joint statement. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, during a meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister, expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the implementation of humanitarian aid agreements with the European Union.