MELBOURNE, 21 July, 2025: Twenty five western countries including Australia & New Zealand in a joint statement today (21 July, 2025) called upon to end the war in Gaza and the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The statement also criticises Israel for its aid delivery model as depriving basic human dignity to Gazans. It also slams any steps by Israel towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and calls for a ceasefire leading towards a pathway to peace and security. It also supports efforts being made by the US, Egypt and Qatar to achieve a settlement of the conflict.
Summary of joint statement:
Twenty-six international governments—led by Australia and including major European, North American, and Asia-Pacific nations—issued a joint statement on July 21, 2025, demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza.
The statement condemns the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with more than 800 Palestinians killed while seeking aid. It sharply criticizes Israel’s “dangerous” and “inhumane” aid delivery model, calling for urgent, unrestricted access for the UN and humanitarian agencies. Israel is urged to comply with international humanitarian law and refrain from denying essential aid to civilians.
The signatories also demand the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages taken by Hamas since October 2023. They reject any forced displacement of Palestinians, including proposals for a “humanitarian city,” and oppose all territorial or demographic changes in the occupied territories, specifically condemning Israel’s E1 settlement plan as a breach of international law and a threat to the two-state solution.
The statement calls on all parties to protect civilians, halt violence, and respect international law. It urges the international community to unite behind US, Qatari, and Egyptian ceasefire efforts and warns that further bloodshed is unacceptable. The signatories pledge further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political solution for lasting peace in the region.
– Summary from AI handle Perplexity.
The statement posted on the website of Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, has been signed by:
- The Foreign Ministers of 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 UK
- The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
“Israel’s foreign ministry has rejected the joint statement as “disconnected from reality” and warned it “sends the wrong message to Hamas”, reports ABC News.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says those in Gaza killed has now exceeded 59,000 in the since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
JOINT STATEMENT by 25 countries & EU to end the Gaza war
