After the leaders of Canada, the UK and France sent out a joint statement condemning Israel and threatening “concrete action” if it doesn’t stop military operations in Gaza, the globally recognized terrorist entity Hamas publicly expressed its gratitude to the Western leaders.
Hamas released an official statement thanking Prime Ministers Mark Carney, Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron for their joint statement of condemnation against Israel on Monday, marking the second time Hamas has publicly thanked Canada.
The statement comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel plans on “taking control of all of Gaza” on Monday, and to open a humanitarian supply of food into Gaza from its borders.
Hamas said it “welcomed” the joint statement and called it a “significant step in the right direction.”
The terrorist group said the declaration reflects a “principled stance” against the “Israeli occupation” and “Zionist plans of genocide and forced displacement.”
It said the statement from the world leaders was “an important step towards restoring the principles of international law”, which, it said, “have been systematically undermined by the terrorist government of Netanyahu.”
Hamas urged Arab and Islamic countries, the European Union, and the international community to take “decisive and concrete action” to halt the “savage Zionist aggression,” calling Israel a “rogue state” and its leaders “war criminals.”
Carney released a statement Monday saying the leaders “strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza” and that Israel’s stating it would allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza, is “wholly inadequate.”
“We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza,” the statement said. “This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to the delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.”
The leaders also called on Hamas to release hostages it has held since Oct. 7, 2023.
The leaders continued alleging the Israeli government’s “denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law.”
“We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law,” it read. “We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.”
The leaders said they “will not stand by,” threatening “concrete actions,” including “targeted sanctions” against Israel as it attempts to eliminate Hamas in Gaza.
They called for a ceasefire and a “long-term political solution,” vowing to recognize the Hamas-run Gaza as a Palestinian state.
“These negotiations need to succeed, and we must all work towards the implementation of a two-state solution, which is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve and ensure long-term stability in the region,” Carney posted. “We will continue to work with the Palestinian Authority, regional partners, Israel and the United States to finalize consensus on arrangements for Gaza’s future, building on the Arab plan.”
The leaders called for a “High-level Two-State Solution Conference at the UN in June” to build “international consensus around this aim.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released his own statement condemning the joint declaration by Canada, the U.K. and France, the leaders are “offering a huge prize” to Hamas for its “genocidal attack” on October 7.
“The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled, and Gaza is demilitarized. No nation can be expected to accept anything less, and Israel certainly won’t,” Netanyahu said. “This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”