Foreign ministers from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Britain issued a joint statement this week calling for urgent improvements to Gaza's humanitarian conditions. The appeal, published by the British Foreign Office on December 31, 2025, emphasizes the need for sustained NGO access and UN operational freedom in the Palestinian enclave.
Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed the statement as "detached criticism," asserting that humanitarian conditions have improved since the October 2025 ceasefire halted two years of conflict triggered by Hamas-led attacks in 2023. However, aid organizations counter that distribution challenges persist, with Israel maintaining restrictions on medical supplies and shelter materials.
A December 2025 report from a global hunger monitor confirmed the cessation of famine conditions but warned that Gaza's 2.3 million residents remain vulnerable. Border crossing limitations continue to strain relief efforts, according to UN agencies.
The diplomatic friction highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and international partners, even as reconstruction efforts slowly progress under the fragile ceasefire. Analysts note that the stalemate risks destabilizing broader Middle Eastern security frameworks as 2026 approaches.
