25 NATIONS CONDEMN “INHUMANE KILLING OF CIVILIANS” IN GAZA
In a powerful and unified diplomatic rebuke, 25 nations from across the globe have issued a joint statement condemning what they described as the “inhumane killing of civilians” in the Gaza Strip, urging an immediate end to hostilities and unrestricted humanitarian access to the besieged enclave. The statement, signed by a diverse group of countries including Canada, South Africa, Brazil, France, Indonesia, Ireland, and Norway, reflects mounting international outrage over the growing civilian death toll in Gaza amid continued military operations by Israel.
The statement, released on Tuesday, emphasized the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and protect innocent lives. “We are gravely alarmed by the continuing reports of large-scale civilian casualties, including women and children, resulting from ongoing military actions in Gaza,” the document read. “The inhumane killing of civilians is unacceptable under any circumstances and must cease immediately.”
The Gaza conflict, now in its 10th month, has claimed tens of thousands of lives, according to Palestinian health authorities, with many more injured or displaced. Recent strikes in densely populated areas such as Rafah and Khan Younis have drawn widespread condemnation, with several UN agencies warning of potential war crimes and humanitarian collapse.
The 25 nations called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow food, water, medicine, and fuel into Gaza. They also urged the international community to increase pressure on all sides to negotiate a sustainable political solution based on a two-state framework.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said, “The situation in Gaza has crossed every line of humanity. We cannot remain silent in the face of indiscriminate suffering. Civilian lives must be protected, and accountability must follow.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed those sentiments, describing the bombardment of civilian zones as “a stain on global conscience.” His government has already brought a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), further heightening the legal and political stakes surrounding the conflict.
Israel, however, has defended its military campaign, insisting it is targeting Hamas militants who use civilian infrastructure for operations. Israeli officials accused the 25-nation group of bias and failing to acknowledge the initial attacks by Hamas that sparked the war. “We regret that these nations ignore the root cause of this conflict — the brutal terrorism unleashed on Israeli citizens,” said a spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nevertheless, the joint condemnation marks a growing shift in international opinion, as even long-time allies of Israel begin to express frustration with the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing campaign. Human rights organizations have welcomed the statement, calling it a necessary step toward mobilizing diplomatic and legal pressure to end the violence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the Security Council to act swiftly to implement an immediate ceasefire. “The killing of civilians — regardless of who they are — is a moral and legal failure of the highest order. The world must respond.”
With the death toll rising and no end to the conflict in sight, the unified stance of these 25 nations may represent a turning point in global efforts to bring justice and relief to the suffering people of Gaza.