The Netherlands and 25 other countries have called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian situation has reached a new low.

“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,” the statement said, drawn up by the British government, said.

The strongly-worded declaration was signed by Dutch caretaker foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp and his counterparts from countries including Belgium, France, Poland, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.

The statement criticises Israel’s current approach to aid distribution in Gaza, describing it as dangerous and destabilising.

“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,” the statement said.

The countries also condemned Hamas’s continued holding of hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 attacks. “The hostages cruelly held captive by Hamas since 7 October 2023 continue to suffer terribly,” the statement said. “A negotiated ceasefire offers the best hope of bringing them home and ending the agony of their families.

Plans to forcibly relocate civilians to a so-called “humanitarian city”, as proposed by Israel, are described in the document as “completely unacceptable”. The signatories urged everyone involved and the wider international community to work without delay towards a ceasefire.

“Meanwhile, settlement building across the West Bank including East Jerusalem has accelerated while settler violence against Palestinians has soared. This must stop,” the statement said.

The statement also expressed support for efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to broker a diplomatic solution.

European failure

Last week the EU failed to agree on measures to try to force Israel to change its position, opting instead to “wait and see”.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said 10 possible measures remain under discussion, including the suspension of visa-free travel and the blocking of imports from the Jewish settlements, but no action will be taken for now.

She said the package is intended as leverage if Israel fails to meet its obligations, pointing to “positive signals,” such as more border crossings opening and an increase in aid deliveries.