25 Western countries call for immediate end to Gaza war

They also denounce Israel's aid delivery model in Gaza, saying it was 'dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity;' Israel sends tanks into Deir Al Balah

- 

More than two dozen Western countries called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza on Monday, saying that suffering there had “reached new depths” as Israel's military expanded its operations to the central city of Deir Al Balah.

After more than 21 months of fighting that have triggered catastrophic humanitarian conditions for Gaza’s more than two million people, Israeli allies Britain, France, Australia, Canada and 21 other countries, plus the EU, said in a joint statement that the war “must end now.”

“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,” the signatories added, urging a negotiated ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants and the free flow of much-needed aid.

The plea came as Deir Al Balah came under intense shelling on Monday, after Israel's military warned of imminent action in an area where it had not previously operated.

Israeli tanks pushed into Deir Al Balah for the first time, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes some of the remaining hostages may be held.