Global Leaders Push Back as Gaza Faces Renewed Israeli Assault and Aid Crisis

International pressure is mounting against Israel’s escalating military campaign in Gaza, as leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Canada warn of potential sanctions unless the offensive stops and aid is allowed in. In a joint statement on Monday, these nations declared they may take “concrete actions” if Israel continues blocking humanitarian assistance and pursuing military operations that have already killed hundreds in mere days.

Israel’s intensified operation, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” began shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump departed the region without brokering a ceasefire or hostage release. The Israeli Defense Forces launched a renewed ground incursion into both northern and southern Gaza, coupled with a barrage of airstrikes, striking more than 670 Hamas targets over the past week, according to military statements.

The health toll has been staggering. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 136 people were killed within 24 hours as of Monday, and entire families were buried in rubble while they slept. More than 400 have died and over 1,000 injured since Thursday alone. Long-term figures are even more dire, with over 53,000 Palestinians killed since the war began in October 2023—most of them women and children, according to health authorities.

Israel, under increasing pressure from its closest allies, allowed five aid trucks to enter Gaza on Monday—a move criticized by the UN as "a drop in the ocean" amid widespread famine warnings. UN officials say the population of over 2.1 million is at grave risk of starvation due to Israel’s 11-week-long blockade and relentless bombardment that has devastated infrastructure, including Gaza's last functional hospital in the north.

Talks in Doha between Hamas and Israel have yielded little progress, with both sides failing to reach an agreement even during Trump’s recent visit. Meanwhile, Israel insists the offensive aims to eliminate Hamas and free hostages, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating intentions to take full control of Gaza. Yet, critics argue the humanitarian toll undermines these goals and may cost Israel global support.

Western allies, including 23 countries and EU representatives, have demanded a full resumption of aid access and for humanitarian organizations to operate without interference. The international community condemned Israel’s two-month-long restriction on humanitarian convoys, emphasizing the urgency of delivering food, medicine, and essential supplies to a desperate population.

Israel’s leadership seems increasingly aware of the risks. Netanyahu acknowledged on Monday that global patience is wearing thin, even among long-standing allies like the United States. He revealed that prominent U.S. senators have warned Israel they will withdraw support if images of famine emerge from Gaza. Netanyahu’s remarks appeared designed to address domestic right-wing critics who oppose aid to Palestinian civilians.

In response to the crisis, the American-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) welcomed Israel’s promise to permit some food deliveries. The foundation plans to launch a tightly controlled aid system in coordination with Israeli and U.S. authorities, aiming to prevent Hamas from diverting resources. However, critics argue the limited southern distribution sites could be part of a broader strategy to depopulate northern Gaza.