France, Germany, UK call for immediate resumption of negotiations

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have joined international calls for an immediate resumption of negotiations in the Middle East, emphasizing that there can be no further delay in addressing the ongoing conflict.

A joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/zqXplcegeB

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 12, 2024

In a joint statement issued on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer endorsed a separate statement made by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and U.S. President Joe Biden.

“We agree that there can be no further delay,” the European leaders stated.

Call for ceasefire and hostage release

The leaders also echoed calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, particularly those held by Hamas. “The fighting must end now, and all hostages still detained by Hamas must be released,” they declared.

Highlighting the urgent humanitarian need in Gaza, the statement stressed the necessity of delivering aid without restrictions. “The people of Gaza need urgent and unfettered delivery and distribution of aid,” the leaders emphasized.

Concerns over regional escalation

France, Germany, and the U.K. expressed deep concern over the heightened tensions in the Middle East, reiterating their commitment to de-escalation and regional stability.

They specifically called on Iran and its allies to avoid any actions that could further exacerbate the situation and threaten the opportunity for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. However they did not mention Israel in the statement.

“They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability,” the statement said. The leaders concluded by stating that no country or nation stands to gain from further escalation in the region.