UK, France, Germany Urge Israel To End 52-Day Gaza Aid Ban
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have called on Israel to resume the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the three nations expressed concern over Israel’s total blockade of aid to the territory for more than fifty days, warning of the devastating consequences of Israel’s actions.
Israel had blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza on March 2 after the ceasefire with the Hamas militant group collapsed. Since then, aid, including food, fuel and medical kits, has been blocked, with a return to air and ground attacks on the territory.
The ministers stated that it is important to relax the ban on humanitarian aid, considering the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza, especially the one million children at risk of starvation, disease, and death.
The ministers emphasised that essential supplies in Gaza are dangerously low, creating what they described as an “acute humanitarian crisis”.
They criticised Israel’s move, describing it as the politicisation of humanitarian assistance by Israeli officials as “unacceptable”, specifically condemning comments made by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Israel’s plans to maintain a long-term presence in Gaza after the war.
“Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool,” the statement read.
“Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.” Citing international law, the ministers insisted that Israel is obligated to ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian supplies,” the countries said.
The statement also called for immediate action to enable aid workers to operate safely and effectively across Gaza. It condemned recent Israeli strikes that have killed humanitarian personnel and damaged key infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.
The ministers demanded that Israel restore systems to protect humanitarian workers and allow the sick and injured to leave Gaza temporarily for urgent medical treatment.
At the same time, the ministers urged Hamas to release all remaining hostages and to stop diverting aid or using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
“The only path to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians is a two-state solution,” the ministers stated, calling for a long-term ceasefire between the warring parties.
UK, France, Germany Urge Israel To End 52-Day Gaza Aid Ban is first published on The Whistler Newspaper