Berlin, July 26 -- E3 leaders - Germany, UK and France underscored that the time has come to end the war in Gaza and the humanitarian catastrophe in the tiny strip and called for an immediate end to the conflict.

The declaration was shared by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. In a post on X, he said, "The time has come to end the war in Gaza. We - France, the United Kingdom and Germany - urge all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire".

"A negotiated ceasefire is the best chance to bring the hostages home, end the anguish of their families and finally bring relief to the civilian population in Gaza," leaders of the three European countries (E3) said in a joint statement.

They urged all part...