UK, France and Canada threaten more sanctions on Israel as first aid in weeks enters Gaza

Trucks carrying aid, make their way to Gaza, at the Kerem Shalom crossing, on the Israeli side of the crossing, May 19, 2025. RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS

The UK, France and Canada on Monday, May 19, threatened “concrete actions” against Israel, including sanctions, for its activities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, calling on Israel to stop “egregious” new military actions and immediately allow in humanitarian aid. The sharply worded statement came shortly after Israel and the United Nations said the first few trucks of aid had entered Gaza after nearly three months of an Israeli blockade, as Israel acknowledged pressure from allies. The joint statement called Israel’s decision to allow a “minimal” amount of aid into Gaza “wholly inadequate.” There was no immediate Israeli comment.

Five trucks carrying baby food and other desperately needed aid entered the territory of over 2 million inhabitants via the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to the Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza, COGAT. The UN called it a “welcome development” but said far more aid is needed. Food security experts last week warned of famine in Gaza. During the latest ceasefire that Israel ended in March, some 600 aid trucks entered Gaza each day.

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The UN humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, said the first few trucks were a “drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.” He said an additional four UN trucks were cleared to enter Gaza. Those trucks may enter Tuesday, according to COGAT.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his decision to resume limited aid to Gaza came after allies said they couldn’t support Israel’s renewed military offensive if there are “images of hunger” coming from the Palestinian territory.

Twenty-two donor countries issued a joint statement urging Israel to “allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately” after the partial lifting of its blockade on the territory. The foreign ministers of the countries, including France and Germany, said that “whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid,” the population of the war-ravaged territory “faces starvation” and “must receive the aid they desperately need.”

Read more War in Gaza: Israel must abandon the weapon of hunger

Le Monde with AFP

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