Global Criticism Mounts Over Israel's Gaza Actions

A coalition of over two dozen countries, including Australia, the UK, France, and Canada, condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza in a joint statement, citing the deaths of over 800 Palestinians near aid distribution sites and calling Israel's aid delivery model dangerous and inhumane. The statement demanded an immediate end to the Gaza war, the release of hostages by Hamas, and unrestricted humanitarian access in compliance with international law. Israel rejected the condemnation, arguing it shifts blame away from Hamas. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, though Germany was not a signatory, independently urged Israel to allow safe humanitarian aid and warned against annexing the West Bank. Polls show growing weariness within Israel, with a majority, including many Netanyahu supporters, favoring a ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases and criticizing the government's handling of the conflict. Prominent Israelis, such as actor Gal Gadot, have also publicly called for peace and an end to hostilities.