Leaders of France, Germany, and UK Endorse Calls for Gaza Cease-Fire

A view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel August 1, 2024. Amir Cohen/Reuters

British, French, and, German leaders issued a joint called for “de-escalation and regional stability” in the Middle East on Monday.

In a joint statement, President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran and its allies not to “jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages” in Gaza.

“We, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, welcome the tireless work of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States towards an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages,” Starmer, Macron, and Scholz wrote.

“We agree that there can be no further delay. We have been working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability. The fighting must end now and all hostages still detained by Hamas must be released. The people of Gaza need urgent and unfettered delivery and distribution of aid.”

The statement added that the leaders were “deeply concerned” by the current tensions in the Middle East and urged de-escalation.

“No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East,” they wrote.

The statement from the European leaders follows a similar message issued by U.S. President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani of Qatar endorsing a three-phase framework to demand the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the return of the hostages taken by Hamas to their families, and the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian aid.

The American, Egyptian, and Qatari leaders wrote in their statement last week: “There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay.”

President of France Emmanuel Macron talks with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, England, on July 18, 2024. Hollie Adams - Pool/Getty Images

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz leaves after meeting with lawmakers and NATO leaders during a visit to Washington on July 10, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

They called on “both sides” to join talks in Cairo or Doha on Aug. 15, saying: “As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.”

Escalating Tensions

Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists, based in Lebanon, have traded rocket fire with Israel over recent weeks.

At least 80 people died on Saturday when an Israeli air strike hit a building in Gaza City, according to Hamas-controlled Palestinian health authorities, which said the building was a school-turned-shelter.

Israel claimed it was a Hamas command centre.

Tensions earlier grew in the region after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a blast while visiting Iran on July 31. While no party has claimed responsibility for killing Haniyeh, Iranian and Hamas officials pointed the finger at Israel and the United States.

The terrorist group on Aug. 6 named Yahya Sinwar to replace Haniyeh. Sinwar has been leading Hamas in the Gaza Strip since 2017 and is seen by Israel as a mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 people were taken hostage.

PA Media contributed to this report.