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August 13, 2025

Foreign Ministers of 26 Nations Demand Israel Restore Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
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Top diplomats from 26 nations, including many U.S. allies, are calling
for urgent action to end Israel's siege of Gaza. The foreign ministers
of Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and others write in a joint statement that
Israel must take immediate, permanent and concrete steps to restore
large-scale access for the U.N. and international humanitarian aid
groups. They're also calling for the opening of border crossings into
Gaza and an end to lethal force directed against civilians seeking food
at U.S.- and Israeli-run aid distribution sites. Germany and Hungary did
not sign the statement, nor did the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's leader has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza
as "utterly appalling" and "unacceptable." Prime Minister Christopher
Luxon made the comments earlier today after lawmakers debated New
Zealand's plan to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: "I think Netanyahu has gone way too
far. I think he has lost the plot. And I think that, you know, what
we're seeing overnight with the attack on Gaza City is utterly, utterly
unacceptable."



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