Netanyahu slams France, UK, Canada for asking Israel to 'stop' Gaza war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday sharply criticized a joint statement from France, the UK and Canada condemning Israel’s expanding military operations in Gaza, as he accused the three countries of rewarding terrorism.  

What happened: In a post to X on Monday evening, Netanyahu lashed out at the statement, which was released by nations the Israeli government has historically considered its friends. “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” Netanyahu said.  

“This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved,” Netanyahu wrote. 

“Israel accepts President Trump's vision and urges all European leaders to do the same,” the Israeli leader added. It is unclear which Trump plan Netanyahu is referring to. Trump has suggested that the United States take over Gaza and resettle in the war-torn territory. Last Thursday, NBC News reported that Trump’s administration was working on a plan to relocate as many as one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya. The US Embassy in Libya on Sunday denied the reports in a statement on X.  

Background: The joint statement — released on Thursday by the offices of French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — called on Israel’s government “to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.” It also included a call on militant group Hamas to release the 58 hostages it still holds. 

“We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” the statement said. 

“If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” the statement read. The statement did not specify what these actions may be.  

The leaders did, however, threaten to enact targeted sanctions on those attempting to expand settlements in the West Bank, “which are illegal and undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both Israelis and Palestinians.” 

Know more: After 11 weeks of a blockade on humanitarian aid into Gaza, Israel today allowed five United Nations trucks carrying aid into the Strip. Netanyahu posted a video on social media early Monday saying that Israel had allowed the aid in “for practical and diplomatic reasons,” following pressure from Israel’s “closest friends.”  

The UN’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, welcomed the move but called it "a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.” 

The Israeli military announced on Sunday it was launching a major operation in Gaza, “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” sending troops into the north and south of the territory. 

As of Monday, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that 136 people had been killed and 364 more injured since the operation began, but noted that the toll may grow, as many remain trapped under rubble. According to WAFA, the death toll in Gaza since October 2023 has reached 53,486 people, with more than 120,000 others injured.