Six European nations reject 'any demographic or territorial change' in Gaza

MADRID: Six European countries said Wednesday that they "firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza" after Israel announced plans to expand its military offensive in the Palestinian territory.Israel's plan "would mark a new and dangerous escalation" in the war, the foreign ministers of Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway and Slovenia said in a joint statement.Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists for the planned offensive, which comes after resumed Israeli attacks against militant group Hamas in March ended a two-month truce.An Israeli military official has said the offensive would include the "conquest" of Gaza, holding territory and moving the strip's population south "for their protection".The foreign ministers, who apart from Luxembourg represent countries that have recognised a Palestinian state, said the plans would "cross another line" and "endanger any perspective of a viable two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.A military escalation would "worsen an already catastrophic situation" for Palestinian civilians and endanger the lives of hostages held in Gaza, they added.The ministers also asked Israel to "immediately lift the blockade" it has imposed on Gaza-bound humanitarian aid that has caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine and increased fears of famine."What is needed more urgently than ever is the resumption of the ceasefire and the unconditional release of all the hostages," they said.The war started after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023 which resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.Palestinian militants also abducted 251 people that day, of whom 58 are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed 52,653 people, mainly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.