London (AP) — Israel's closest allies have expressed strong condemnation following the Israeli military's killing of seven aid workers in Gaza. European leaders have been particularly vocal, using words like "appalled," "outraged," and "no more excuses."
The criticism has been unprecedented, with some European countries halting arms sales to Israel and summoning Israeli ambassadors for reprimands.
Britain and Poland, which lost one of its citizens in the attack, have been especially forceful in their condemnation. British Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian leader Anthony Albanese also expressed their outrage.
Israel has described the attack as a tragic mistake and has taken disciplinary action against military personnel involved, including dismissing two officers and reprimanding three others.
However, the incident has further fueled unease in Europe about the conflict, with some saying that what was previously discussed quietly is now being expressed more openly.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has also raised concerns among Israel's allies.
While Germany, for example, remains careful to stress Israel's right to defend itself, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced unease at the high toll of the war.
Western outrage over the deaths of foreign aid workers has been contrasted with a relatively subdued response to the suffering of Gaza residents.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, more than 33,000 people, including over 220 humanitarian workers, have been killed. This contrast has led to increased pressure on European governments to suspend arms sales to Israel.
The United Nations' Human Rights Council passed a nonbinding resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel, with only Germany and the United States voting against it.
Some European countries, including Spain and Canada, have already halted arms sales to Israel, while others, like the Netherlands, are facing legal challenges to their exports.
In Britain, more than 600 British jurists have urged the government to stop arms sales to Israel, citing a "plausible risk of genocide" in Gaza.
While suspending arms sales would be a significant political statement, it would not have a major impact on the war, as Britain's defense exports to Israel are relatively small.
The United States, as Israel's biggest ally, has also begun to take a tougher stance.
President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that continued U.S. support for the war depended on Israel taking more action to protect civilians and aid workers.
Israel has responded by opening new aid routes into Gaza and increasing the amount of food and supplies getting into the territory.
Overall, the international community's response to the killing of aid workers in Gaza reflects a growing unease with Israel's actions and could lead to increased pressure for a resolution to the conflict.