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)
TT
20

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.



Israeli Army Says It Intercepted a Missile Launched from Yemen

Iron Dome system near Ashkelon in southern Israel (File photo - Reuters)
Iron Dome system near Ashkelon in southern Israel (File photo - Reuters)
TT
20

Israeli Army Says It Intercepted a Missile Launched from Yemen

Iron Dome system near Ashkelon in southern Israel (File photo - Reuters)
Iron Dome system near Ashkelon in southern Israel (File photo - Reuters)

The Israeli army said in the early hours of Saturday that a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory.
Sirens sounded in a number of areas in Israel following the launch, the Israeli army added in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, who have been launching attacks against Israel as well as ships they perceive as affiliated to Israel, in what they say is to support the Palestinians in Gaza against the Israeli offensive on the enclave.