UK, France, Germany Urge Gaza Ceasefire, Ask Israel to Restore Humanitarian Access

Displaced Palestinians sit next to tents at a camp set up in a garbage dump in the Yarmouk area of ​​Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, 21 March 2025, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for the northern areas of the city. (EPA)
Displaced Palestinians sit next to tents at a camp set up in a garbage dump in the Yarmouk area of ​​Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, 21 March 2025, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for the northern areas of the city. (EPA)
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UK, France, Germany Urge Gaza Ceasefire, Ask Israel to Restore Humanitarian Access

Displaced Palestinians sit next to tents at a camp set up in a garbage dump in the Yarmouk area of ​​Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, 21 March 2025, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for the northern areas of the city. (EPA)
Displaced Palestinians sit next to tents at a camp set up in a garbage dump in the Yarmouk area of ​​Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, 21 March 2025, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for the northern areas of the city. (EPA)

The governments of Germany, France and Britain called for an immediate return to a ceasefire in Gaza in a joint statement on Friday that also called on Israel to restore humanitarian access.

"We call on Israel to restore humanitarian access, including water and electricity, and ensure access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law," the foreign ministers of the three countries, known as the E3, said in a statement.

The ministers said they were "appalled by the civilian casualties," and also called on Palestinian Hamas fighters to release Israeli hostages.

They said the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians could not be resolved through military means, and that a long-lasting ceasefire was the only credible pathway to peace.

The ministers added that they were "deeply shocked" by the incident that affected the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) building in Gaza, and called for an investigation into the incident.



Italy Pledges 68 Million Euros in Aid for Syria

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks during the presentation of the Action plan for exports to non-EU markets, at Villa Madama in Rome, Friday, March 21, 2025 (Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks during the presentation of the Action plan for exports to non-EU markets, at Villa Madama in Rome, Friday, March 21, 2025 (Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via AP)
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Italy Pledges 68 Million Euros in Aid for Syria

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks during the presentation of the Action plan for exports to non-EU markets, at Villa Madama in Rome, Friday, March 21, 2025 (Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks during the presentation of the Action plan for exports to non-EU markets, at Villa Madama in Rome, Friday, March 21, 2025 (Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via AP)

Italy has earmarked some 68 million euros ($73.20 million) to finance humanitarian projects and rebuild infrastructure in Syria, Rome's foreign minister told lawmakers on Thursday, saying it was crucial to support the transition in Damascus.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized power in Syria in December, toppling former president Bashar al-Assad.
"An initial package has been earmarked for humanitarian initiatives in the hospital and health sector, in infrastructure, and in strengthening food supply chains," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a parliamentary hearing.
"New cooperation projects will start in the coming weeks. And we also intend to organize a business forum aimed at reconstruction," he added, according to Reuters.
Earlier this month, donors at a European Union-led conference pledged 5.8 billion euros to help Syria's new authorities with the challenges of the transition.
EU countries have also suspended a range of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction.