Western nations urge immediate ceasefire in Gaza as Israel intensifies offensive.
Global Urging for Gaza Ceasefire Amid Intensifying Conflict
Nearly all residents of Gaza, whose population exceeds two million, have faced repeated displacement since the war began. The escalating damage has prompted over two dozen Western nations and the European Union to demand an immediate halt to hostilities.
Western Nations Declare Conflict Must End
Representatives from Britain, France, Australia, Canada, and 21 additional countries, together with the EU, released a joint statement outlining the severity of the humanitarian crisis:
- “Civilian suffering in Gaza has reached unprecedented depths.”
- “A negotiated ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the unrestricted flow of essential aid are urgent.”
These appeals coincided with Israel’s intensified shelling of Deir el-Balah, a central city where the military had not previously operated.
Deir el-Balah Faces Heightened Shelling
Earlier this week, the Israeli military warned that an imminent ground operation would commence in Deir el-Balah. It instructed those present in the central Gaza region to evacuate immediately. According to preliminary UN estimates, between 50,000 and 80,000 people were in the area when the order was issued.
Abdullah Abu Saleem, a resident of Deir el-Balah, described explosive bombardment that “shook the area as if it were an earthquake.” He attributed the strike to artillery shelling in the south‑central part of Deir el-Balah and its southeastern sector.
Criticism of Israel’s Aid Distribution Model
The statement by the leading Western countries also criticized Israel’s approach to aid delivery in Gaza:
- “The drip‑fed model of aid fosters insecurity, undermines stability, and deprives Gazans of dignity.”
The UN has documented 875 casualties among Gazans attempting to procure food since late May, following Israel’s easing of a more than two‑month blockade.
Reporting from the Frontlines
AFP footage captured dark smoke billowing from shell‑hit areas in Deir el-Balah. Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson of Gaza’s Civil Defence Agency, reported emergency calls from families trapped in the Al‑Baraka sector due to Israeli tank bombardment.
Israel’s military leadership did not immediately respond to AFP’s inquiries.
Widespread Displacement and Instability
Recurrent evacuation orders have now displaced almost the entire Gaza population. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 87.8% of Gaza remains under evacuation orders or within Israeli militarized zones.
Hamdi Abu Mughseeb, 50, recounted fleeing his tent south of Deir el-Balah after nights of intense shelling, expressing uncertainty about safe refuges.
Mai Elawawda, communications officer for the UK‑based charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, described the situation as “extremely critical,” noting military vehicles situated only 400 metres from her colleagues and their families.
Hostage Families Alarmed by Evacuation Orders
Families of the 251 hostages arrested during Hamas’s October 2023 attack expressed shock and concern over evacuation directives in Deir el-Balah. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on authorities to clarify whether the offensive jeopardizes hostage safety.
Of the 251 hostages, 49 remain held in Gaza, including 27 reportedly dead according to Israeli military statements. Civil Defence spokesperson Bassal indicated at least fifteen fatalities by Israeli forces across Gaza on the day of the latest shelling.
Casualty Figures and Media Limitations
According to data from Gaza’s health ministry, the Israeli campaign has claimed 59,029 Palestinian lives, predominantly civilians. The initial Hamas attack that sparked the war resulted in 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, per an AFP compiled tally.
Restrictive media access and limited coverage in Gaza constrain independent verification of casualty reports and other details.
