In a joint statement published on Monday, 25 foreign ministers and the EU Commissioner for Equality issued an urgent call for an immediate end to the war in Gaza.

The 26 signatories condemned the devastating impact on civilians, including the deaths over 800 Palestinian aid-seekers, and demanded that Israel lift restrictions on humanitarian assistance. "The Israeli goverment's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the statement reads.

Plans by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katzto build a so-called "humanitarian city" were also slammed as "completely unacceptable". The statement stressed that "permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law."

The signatories further called for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas since 7 October 2023,expressing hope that a negotiated ceasefire could provide the most plausible way of "bringing them home and ending the agony of their families."

The ministers pledged they are "prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region."

The joint appeal comes amid growing international and domestic pressure for stronger, more decisive action to end the bloodshed. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel has repeatedly criticised Israel's actions as no longer defensible under international law, warning that peace in Palestine is a prerequisite for Israel’s own security.

Meanwhile, civil society voices have grown louder, with a recent petition calling for sanctions on Israel sparking a heated parliamentary debate. Petitioners accused the government of inaction in the face of what they described as war crimes and ethnic cleansing. Bettel told Parliament that Luxembourg continues to explore national-level options and remains committed to presenting an analysis of potential measures before year’s end.