Britain, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia have condemned the Israeli regime's decision to expand its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement, the five countries warned that Israel’s plan signals a potential violation of international humanitarian law, urging Tel Aviv to immediately halt its planned expansion and refrain from further escalation.

The statement stressed that any attempt by the Israeli regime to annex land or expand settlements is illegal under international law. It further warned that the ongoing military campaign in Gaza puts both civilians and hostages at grave risk.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation has been committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip, including mass killings, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, blatantly defying international appeals and ignoring orders from the International Court of Justice to cease hostilities.

The ongoing atrocities have resulted in over 209,000 people killed or wounded — the majority of them women and children — in addition to more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and famine that has claimed the lives of many, including children, amid widespread devastation.