JERUSALEM, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli government said Tuesday that it will not stop its new military campaign in the Gaza Strip despite pressure from Britain, France, and Canada.
"Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office.
Netanyahu's remarks came as Britain, France, and Canada -- three allies of Israel -- issued a rare joint statement on Monday calling on Israel to halt its new military campaign in Gaza, dubbed Gideon's Chariots and launched over the weekend, which Israel said aims to seize key parts of Gaza, push a majority of Gaza's population further south, and resume humanitarian aid distribution under stricter Israeli oversight.
"If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response," said the joint statement.
Meanwhile, in response to Britain's announcement of pausing free trade talks with Israel on Tuesday due to the ongoing military escalation in and blockade on Gaza, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said on social media platform X that the British decision is "regrettable," stressing "external pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security against enemies who seek its destruction."
Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, following the expiration of the first phase of a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas. It resumed attacks on Gaza on March 18, which have so far killed more than 3,300 people and injured over 9,350, according to the Gaza-based health authorities.
On Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel would allow the entry of a "minimal and basic" quantity of aid into Gaza to prevent "images of mass starvation." On Monday, five UN aid trucks entered Gaza through Israel's Kerem Shalom border crossing after undergoing security inspections.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli military said it is "entering a new phase (of operation), different in size and strength," to achieve its objectives of returning the hostages and defeating Hamas. ■
