Diplomats from the European Union and 26 foreign ministers urge for non-governmental organizations to be allowed to enter Gaza
The situation in the Gaza Strip is dire, with severe reductions in humanitarian aid and dangerous conditions for aid distribution. Representatives from 26 Western countries and the EU Commission have issued a joint declaration urging Israel to allow aid deliveries into the territory, citing the urgent need for food, shelter, fuel, clean water, and medicine [1][2].
The declaration also calls for the protection of civilians and aid workers at distribution points, but it does not specifically mention the protection of hostages held by Hamas. However, it is evident that violence along aid routes and near distribution sites, largely attributed to Israeli forces, has resulted in significant civilian deaths [2][4].
Israel has faced extensive criticism from international organizations and humanitarian groups for obstructing humanitarian operations. Aid groups accuse Israel of imposing restrictive registration requirements on NGOs and endorsing problematic distribution schemes like the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” (GHF) [4]. The UN and aid organizations warn that these restrictions worsen the humanitarian crisis and increase risks to individuals seeking aid [4].
Shelter materials have been allowed into Gaza only recently after months of blockade, but the shelter crisis remains catastrophic. Some 1.4 million people urgently need emergency shelter due to widespread displacement caused by intensified bombardment and military operations [3].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that there is no famine in the Gaza Strip. However, the joint declaration asserts that a famine is unfolding in the territory, and urgent action is needed to prevent it [6]. The representatives from the Western countries and the EU Commission have demanded that the Israeli government grant immediate and permanent access to the Palestinian territory for the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian actors [7].
The joint declaration, signed by several EU Foreign Ministers, representatives from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, but not Germany, calls for all border crossings and routes to be used for aid delivery [8]. It is unclear what actions the signatories will take if the Israeli government does not grant access to the Palestinian territory [5].
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a complex issue, reflecting conflicting perspectives on security concerns and humanitarian obligations. International bodies are urging Israel to facilitate unfettered aid access in line with international law [1][2][3][4][5].
References:
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025). Humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza-worsens
[2] BBC News. (2025). Gaza crisis: Aid deliveries 'dangerous and inadequate'. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-57845084
[3] UN OCHA. (2025). Gaza: Displacement Crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-displacement-crisis
[4] Middle East Eye. (2025). Israel accused of obstructing Gaza aid deliveries. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-accused-obstructing-gaza-aid-deliveries
[5] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Israel: Aid Workers Face Extreme Threats in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/08/03/israel-aid-workers-face-extreme-threats-gaza
[6] The Guardian. (2025). Famine unfolding in Gaza, say Western powers and EU. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/03/famine-unfolding-in-gaza-say-western-powers-and-eu
[7] Reuters. (2025). Western powers, EU call on Israel to grant aid access to Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/western-powers-eu-call-israel-grant-aid-access-gaza-2025-08-03/
[8] Deutsche Welle. (2025). Western powers, EU call for free access to Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/western-powers-eu-call-for-free-access-to-gaza/a-57913466
- The urgent need for food, shelter, fuel, clean water, and medicine in the Gaza Strip is a matter of political concern, with representatives from various Western countries and the EU Commission calling for Israel to allow aid deliveries to alleviate the escalating humanitarian crisis.
- The joint declaration, signed by several foreign ministers and representatives of nations like Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, calls for all border crossings and routes to be used for aid delivery in the Gaza Strip, following reports of Israeli obstruction and a potential famine unfolding in the territory.
