The UK and 27 other countries issued a joint statement on [date - needs to be added from the original article] demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza, citing the "new depths" of civilian suffering. The statement criticizes Israel's aid delivery model, denouncing the "drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians" seeking food and water. The statement specifically mentions over 800 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, with Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 100 deaths over a weekend alone due to Israeli fire while waiting for food, and 19 deaths due to malnutrition. Israel's foreign ministry rejected the statement, accusing Hamas of spreading lies and hindering aid distribution.

The joint statement, signed by foreign ministers including those from Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland, declares the war must end immediately and condemns the Israeli government's aid model as dangerous and inhumane. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced an additional £40 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza but criticized Israel's actions for damaging its international standing and undermining its security. The UN has also criticized the aid system, citing safety concerns and violations of humanitarian principles. The UN human rights office reported 674 killings near aid sites and 201 along UN aid routes since the aid system's implementation eight weeks prior to the date of the article. Gaza's health ministry reported additional killings near aid sites on [date - needs to be added from the original article] and [date - needs to be added from the original article]. The World Food Programme warned of a deepening hunger crisis, with widespread malnutrition affecting 90,000 women and children. Hospitals reported critical shortages of food and supplies. The statement also rejected Israeli proposals to relocate Gaza's population to a "humanitarian city" in Rafah as a violation of international law.

The 27 countries urged an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and warned of further action to support a ceasefire and a political pathway to peace. Israel rejects the criticism, blaming Hamas for the ongoing conflict and the lack of a hostage release deal and ceasefire. The Israeli military maintains it operates within international law and seeks to minimize civilian harm during aid distribution. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), running the aid system, appealed to UN agencies to join its operations, claiming UN agencies are not distributing aid due to ongoing hostilities, Israeli restrictions, and fuel shortages. The conflict began on 7 October 2023, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel resulting in significant casualties and hostage-taking. At least 59,029 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the current conflict.

Impact Statement: The international condemnation and escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza risk further destabilizing the region and may significantly impact international relations and future aid efforts.