Canada, Australia, and New Zealand called on Thursday for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in Gaza, according to a joint statement issued in response to reports regarding the planned Israeli military operation in Rafah. The statement from the leaders of the three countries said, "We are deeply concerned about indications that Israel is planning a ground assault on Rafah. Any military operation in Rafah would be catastrophic."
The statement added, "There is an urgent need for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel would proceed with its attack on Hamas in Rafah, the last refuge for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, after allowing civilians to evacuate the area.
The statement urged Israel not to launch the attack but noted that any ceasefire could not be "one-sided" and would require Hamas to disarm and release all remaining hostages immediately. The leaders also mentioned that a ruling issued by the International Court of Justice in January in a genocide case brought by South Africa obliges Israel to protect civilians and provide basic services and urgent humanitarian aid.
The statement emphasized that "the protection of civilians is critical and a necessity under international humanitarian law. Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price for the defeat of Hamas."
