Condemnation.....

Key takeaways from statement by 25 nations calling for end to war

Reuters

As we've been reporting this afternoon, the UK and more than 20 other nations have signed a joint statement calling for an end to the war in Gaza.

It's a long statement, so here are some of the main points from it summarised:

• The nations say "the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths" and call Israel's aid delivery model "dangerous", saying it "fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity"
• "Drip feeding of aid" and "inhumane killing of civilians" seeking essentials such as water and food is another focus of condemnation in the statement
• The foreign ministers describe the Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance unacceptable, adding that Israel must comply with its obligations under international law
• The nations also call for the "immediate and unconditional release" of hostages taken by Hamas during the deadly 7 October 2023 attacks
• They call on Israel to "immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid" and allow the UN and humanitarian NGOs [non-governmental organisations] to do their "life-saving work"
• Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a "humanitarian city" are described as "completely unacceptable", and the countries add that "permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law"
• They also voice their strong opposition to "any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the occupied Palestinian territories"