Seven European countries — Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain and Norway — urged Israel to immediately end the military offensive and block the Gaza Strip.
A joint statement, published yesterday, condemns the "human-made humanitarian disaster" and calls for an "immediate reversal of Israel's current policy", including the abolition of the blockade and the anticipation of undisturbed access to humanitarian aid.
“We will not be silent in the face of a human-created humanitarian disaster that takes place in front of us in Gaza,” says the statement. "More than 50,000 men, women and children lost their lives. Much more could die of starvation in the coming days and weeks if immediate action is not taken."
As of March 2, Israel completely blocked supplies of food, medicines and another essential goods to Gaza. Humanitarian organizations inform that 2.4 million people in Gaza are facing utmost hunger and the situation in hospitals is dramatic. UN Head of Humanitarian Aid, Tom Fletcher, stressed that 160,000 aid pallets and 9,000 trucks are ready to enter Gaza, but access is blocked.
“We have people. We have distribution networks. We have assurance in the community on the spot. And we have only aid — 160,000 pallets — ready for transport. Now," Fletcher said
Israel, supported by the US, proposed an alternate plan to supply assistance, establishing cooperation with private logistics and safety companies. However, this plan was criticised by the UN as a "figish leaf for further force and resettlement".
Meanwhile, in the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks have killed at least 140 Palestinians in Gaza, expanding the number of casualties from Thursday to over 300. The UN and global leaders, including António Guterres and Volker Türk, condemned force and Türk described Israel's actions as "equivalent cultural cleansing"
European leaders, specified as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Italian abroad Minister Giorgia Meloni, called for immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid. Meloni described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “an increasingly dramatic and inexplicable”
Meanwhile, Israel continues its offensive, claiming that its goal is to defeat Hamas and free the hostages. However, the global community is increasingly critical of these actions, pointing to violations of global law and disastrous humanitarian consequences. Faced with the expanding global pressure, talks of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas were resumed in Doha, Qatar. However, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.
The common position of the 7 European states is simply a clear signal to Israel that its current policy towards Gaza is faced with an expanding global opposition. They call for immediate action to end the suffering of civilians and reconstruct access to the essential humanitarian assistance.
