The UK and Australia have jointly called for an immediate halt to the fighting in Gaza. This call came following diplomatic pressure on Israel to abandon its planned ground assault on the city of Rafah in the southern region. The declaration was made after a meeting of foreign and defense ministers from Australia and the UK in Adelaide.

The statement emphasized the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza to facilitate the flow of aid and the release of hostages. It coincided with the anticipation of a resolution from the United States at the UN Security Council, urging an immediate ceasefire. Washington had previously vetoed similar calls for a ceasefire, seeking to support Israel in retaliating against attacks dating back to October 7.

The proposed UN resolution aimed to exert pressure on Israel to scale back its aggressive campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in a significant loss of life, with nearly 32,000 casualties reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. Israel's intention to escalate its offensive by advancing into Rafah was driven by the objective of eliminating the remaining Hamas forces responsible for the deadly raids in October.

The UK's appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities underscores growing concerns about the humanitarian toll of Israel's military operation, known as Operation Swords of Iron. Both Britain and Australia stressed the importance of ending the violence to facilitate aid delivery and secure the release of hostages, viewed as essential steps toward achieving a lasting and sustainable ceasefire.

As members of the UN Security Council, Britain and the United States, along with Russia, China, and France, hold veto powers. Additionally, the joint statement from Australia and the UK condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine, describing it as a "full-scale, illegal, and immoral invasion." The ministers urged all countries with close ties to Russia, particularly China, to refrain from supporting Russia's war efforts and to push for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine.

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