LONDON 

The foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain on Wednesday expressed deep alarm over Israel’s reported plans to expand military operations in Gaza and establish a prolonged presence in the territory.

In a joint statement, the six European countries warned that such actions would significantly escalate the conflict and further jeopardize any hopes for a peaceful resolution based on a two-state solution.

"We, the Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain express our grave concern about the reported Israeli plans to expand its military operations in Gaza and to establish a prolonged Israeli presence in the Strip. This would mean crossing yet another line, marking a dangerous new escalation and jeopardizing any prospects of a viable Two-State solution," they said.

The group emphasized that further military escalation would only deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and endanger the remaining hostages.

"A further military escalation in Gaza will only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten the lives of the hostages that remain in captivity," the statement continued.

The foreign ministers voiced strong opposition to any territorial or demographic changes in Gaza, particularly any move that would result in the forced displacement of its population, calling such actions a violation of international law.

"We firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any scheme that would force or facilitate the permanent displacement of its population, which would be in violation of international law. We also strongly oppose a system that does not ensure that the entire population gets access to humanitarian aid. Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people," they said.

Citing over two months of restricted humanitarian access, the top diplomats condemned the Israeli blockade on aid and commercial supplies into Gaza, and called for its immediate removal.

"For more than two months, Israeli authorities have blocked all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies from reaching the civilian Palestinian population in Gaza. Despite repeated calls on Israel to lift these measures and to facilitate relief, Israel has instead further tightened, rather than eased, the measures. We call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade. It is essential to facilitate relief for all civilians in need, without discrimination, and to follow the other humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality."

The statement concluded with an urgent call for restraint, humanitarian access, and the return to a ceasefire agreement.

"Together, we call on the Israeli authorities to show restraint. We further call on Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance," it added.

"What is needed more urgently than ever is a resumption of a ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the two-state solution – Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security," it concluded.

- Current situation in Gaza

Nearly 2.4 million people in Gaza are completely dependent on humanitarian aid, according to World Bank data.

Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza’s crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid, deepening an already humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

More than 52,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.