Germany, France, and Britain on April 23 jointly called on Israel to lift its blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, warning of the "acute risk of starvation, disease, and death" facing the population, AFP reported.
“This must end,” read a joint statement by the countries' foreign ministers. “We urge Israel to immediately resume the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza to address the urgent needs of civilians.”
The appeal comes amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, following 18 months of conflict and a complete Israeli blockade on aid since March 2. The United Nations has issued repeated warnings about the deteriorating conditions for Gaza라이브 바카라 2.4 million residents.
Israel maintains that Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has been diverting aid—an allegation Hamas denies.
Last week, the leaders of 12 major humanitarian organizations cautioned that famine is no longer a distant threat but is “likely rapidly unfolding in nearly all parts” of Gaza.
"The Israeli decision to block aid from entering Gaza is intolerable," the three ministers said.
They also criticised Defence Minister Israel Katz for "recent comments politicising humanitarian aid" and described Israeli plans to remain in Gaza after the war as "unacceptable".
"Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change," they said.
Katz last week said Israel would continue preventing aid from entering Gaza, calling the blockade "one of the main pressure levers preventing Hamas from using (aid) as a tool with the population".
The foreign ministers also expressed "outrage at recent strikes by Israeli forces on humanitarian personnel, infrastructure, premises and healthcare facilities" in Gaza.
"Israel must do much more to protect the civilian population, infrastructure and humanitarian workers," they said.
