Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
European Nations Urge Israel to Ease Gaza Aid Blockade Amid Humanitarian Crisis
Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have jointly appealed to Israel to end its restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, which have been in effect for over 50 days. The call comes amid growing concerns about a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, with the European nations emphasizing the urgent need for assistance to reach Palestinian civilians.
Joint Statement Highlights Worsening Conditions
In a joint declaration released on Wednesday, the three nations cautioned about the deteriorating humanitarian crisis within the confined territory.
- “Palestinian civilians – including 1 million children – face an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death. This must end,” the statement asserted.
- “Humanitarian aid must never be exploited as a political instrument… Israel is obligated under international law to permit the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
Demands for Access and Warnings Against Diversion
The governments pressed Israel to guarantee safe passage to United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza. They also cautioned that Hamas must refrain from redirecting aid for its own purposes or employing civilian infrastructure for military activities.
Condemnation of Israeli Official’s Remarks
Furthermore, the three countries denounced recent statements by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who implied that Israel should permanently occupy Gaza. “The Palestinian territories should neither be reduced in size nor demographically altered,” they affirmed.
Israel’s Response and Counter-Accusations
Israel has countered accusations of politicizing aid. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein stated on X that “Israel is monitoring the situation on the ground, and there is no shortage of aid in Gaza.” He claimed that Israel is only bound to provide aid if civilians are inadequately supplied, a statement that stands in contrast to reports from the UN and aid organizations.
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Marmorstein also accused the three European governments of equating Israel with Hamas, asserting that Hamas initiated the conflict with its October 7, 2023, attack in Israel and bears the burden for both the war’s continuation and Palestinian suffering.
UN: Gaza Faces ‘Worst Humanitarian Crisis’
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that Gaza is “likely facing the worst humanitarian crisis” since the conflict escalated.
An OCHA report cited ongoing Israeli military operations, the blockade of aid, targeting of aid workers, and severe movement restrictions as key factors.
Aid Organizations Suspend Operations
According to a recent assessment, almost all of the 43 international and Palestinian aid organizations in Gaza have been compelled to halt or drastically reduce operations since Israeli military actions resumed on March 18. The UN approximates that approximately half a million individuals have been displaced anew since then.
Oxfam Reports Dire Conditions
The charity Oxfam has reported critical shortages of clean drinking water, with sanitation systems rendered inoperable due to bombings and fuel scarcity. Food is scarce, prices have skyrocketed, and emergency generators are seldom functional. Israel has leveled accusations against Hamas for allegedly seizing aid and reselling it at exorbitant prices.
Former Gaza School Struck by Israel
An Israeli airstrike on a former school building in Gaza City, utilized as shelter for displaced Palestinians, resulted in ten fatalities, according to the Hamas-controlled civil defense agency.
Military Claims of Hamas Command Center
The Israeli military affirmed that it conducted the strike, asserting that the building was being employed as a command center by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
- The military stated that members of the groups were present and were plotting attacks on Israeli civilians.
- According to the military, Hamas was exploiting Palestinian civilians as human shields and that measures were implemented before the strike to limit harm to the civilian populace.
Footage Shows Extensive Damage
Visuals circulating in Palestinian media displayed fire and extensive destructions to the location, affecting tents. Unverified information indicated that some victims suffered burns.