In an unprecedented joint declaration Tuesday, Canada joined 23 other nations in sounding the alarm on what they describe as “unimaginable levels” of human suffering in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, alongside counterparts from nations spanning five continents, issued the stark warning that Gaza stands “on the brink of famine” as fighting persists in its eleventh month with no resolution in sight.
“Women and children are bearing the unacceptable brunt of this conflict,” the ministers stated in their collective plea. “The people of Gaza face devastating hunger, displacement, and disease while essential humanitarian aid remains severely restricted.”
The ministers’ statement reflects growing international frustration with obstacles preventing aid from reaching Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. According to UN assessments, approximately 96 percent of the population faces severe food insecurity, with malnutrition rates skyrocketing particularly among young children.
“We cannot stand by while an entire population is deprived of the basics for survival,” the declaration continues. “The international community has a moral obligation to act decisively to prevent further catastrophe.”
The joint statement represents one of the strongest collective diplomatic efforts to address the Gaza crisis, bringing together nations with diverse political perspectives including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Norway, and various European Union members.
Notably absent from the signatories were the United States, Britain, and Germany – all key allies of Israel who have separately expressed concerns about the humanitarian situation while maintaining strong support for Israel’s security interests.
The ministers specifically called for Israel to keep the Rafah crossing with Egypt open and to “open additional crossings” to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance. They emphasized that aid delivery has dropped dramatically in recent months, citing UN statistics showing aid trucks entering Gaza have decreased by nearly 50 percent since June.
“This is not just about numbers on a page,” said a senior Canadian foreign affairs official speaking on background. “This represents real people – mothers unable to feed their children, hospitals without medicine, and communities without clean water.”
The ministers urged all parties to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2720, which calls for “immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale” to Gaza.
International aid organizations have welcomed the declaration while emphasizing that words must be followed by concrete action. Doctors Without Borders recently described conditions in Gaza’s hospitals as “catastrophic,” with medical facilities overwhelmed by casualties while lacking basic supplies and medication.
The Canadian government has contributed over $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians since the conflict began last October, though critics argue more diplomatic pressure is needed to ensure aid actually reaches those in need.
As the Gaza crisis enters its eleventh month with over 40,000 reported casualties and widespread infrastructure destruction, the fundamental question remains: Will this extraordinary diplomatic pressure translate into meaningful improvement for Gaza’s civilian population, or will geopolitical interests continue to override humanitarian imperatives?
For the latest developments on Canada’s diplomatic efforts, visit CO24 Canada and for more on international developments, see our World News section.
