Greece and four other countries (United Kingdom, Denmark, France and Slovenia) they condemned , in a joint statement, condemned Israel's decision to expand military operations in Gaza, as - as they emphasized - this action risks violating international humanitarian law.

The Permanent Representatives of the five countries issued a joint statement ahead of the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Gaza.

With it, they call on Israel to reverse the decision and reiterate that any attempt to annex or expand settlements violates international law.

The expansion of military operations, they say, risks increasing the suffering of civilians, including hostages, and exacerbating the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The dramatic situation of children dying of hunger and citizens risking their lives to obtain food was also highlighted.

In their statement, the European member states reiterated the need for lifting restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid and the immediate implementation of diplomatic efforts for a permanent ceasefire.

In addition, it was emphasized that Hamas must disarm and the Palestinian Authority must assume a central role in governing Gaza. The countries also call for negotiations for a two-state solution.

The entire statement

“We, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece and Slovenia, have requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Gaza.

We condemn the decision of the Government of Israel to further expand military operations in Gaza. This plan risks violating international humanitarian law. We call on Israel to immediately reverse this decision and not implement it.

We reiterate that any attempts to annex or expand settlements violate international law.

Expanding military operations will endanger the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and will lead to further unnecessary suffering.

This week, the Security Council heard a shocking testimony from Eli David , his brother Eviatar David, who was brutally kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and has been held in inhumane conditions in Gaza for over 21 months.

His presentation was a stark reminder that the suffering of the remaining hostages and their families must end. The Security Council has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. And we are clear that Hamas must disarm and have no future participation in the governance of Gaza, where the Palestinian Authority must have a central role.

But this decision by the Israeli Government will not ensure the return of the hostages and endangers further their lives.

It will also worsen the already disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza and risks causing more deaths and mass displacements of Palestinian civilians.

The IPC has warned that famine is unfolding in Gaza. Children are dying of starvation. The hunger is so severe that desperate civilians are risking their lives at aid distribution points to feed their families.

This is a man-made crisis and therefore urgent action is needed to stop the famine and increase aid to Gaza.

We have a clear message to Israel: lift restrictions on aid delivery so that the UN and established humanitarian partners can operate safely and at scale, in accordance with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

It is also vital that international NGOs can operate in Gaza. Israel’s unjustified visa and registration requirements must be removed and all land routes opened for essential supplies, including food, infant formula, medicine, fuel and clean water.

After 22 months of suffering in Gaza, now It's time for diplomacy., not for more wars.

The ceasefire earlier this year showed what can be achieved when there is political will. It ended the slaughter. Hostages were reunited with their loved ones. Effective humanitarian aid reached those in urgent need.

The international conference on the two-state solution last month, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, was a powerful demonstration of the strength of international determination to secure a better future and deliver long-term peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the region.

We call on both sides to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and to urgently move forward efforts to achieve a two-state solution."