Intensifying global concern regarding the humanitarian predicament in Gaza mounts

The Israeli government's new war plan, which includes the capture of Gaza City and the destruction of Hamas in central refugee camps, has been met with strong criticism from the international community. A joint statement signed by the EU Commission, several EU foreign ministers, and representatives from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, along with 26 other Western states, calls for an immediate end to the conflict and the easing of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The statement, which also received the support of Qatar and Egypt, condemns Israel's denial of essential humanitarian aid, the resulting civilian deaths, and the overall policy that worsens the crisis under international humanitarian law obligations. The statement urges urgent measures to protect the civilian population in Gaza, citing the need for food, shelter, fuel, clean water, and medication.

The Israeli military's actions have led to severe civilian suffering, including blockade-related shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, risking famine and mass displacement. The UN and humanitarian organizations report critically low food security, cooking gas shortages, and deteriorating health conditions exacerbated by the blockade and attacks, warning that "the worst-case scenario of famine is currently occurring."

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by Israel and the USA, began operations in the Gaza Strip in May after a nearly three-month Israeli blockade of aid deliveries. However, these sites have become dangerous, as Israeli forces have killed hundreds of people seeking aid from GHF locations and UN convoys since the partial easing of Gaza's blockade in May. Hospitals report multiple civilians killed during attempts to access assistance, indicating the precarious and life-threatening conditions for Gaza’s population depending on humanitarian aid.

In response, international organizations do not see the GHF as suitable for improving the situation of those in need in the Gaza Strip. The US Department of State has approved $30 million for the GHF, with more than half already paid out, despite these concerns.

The statement also calls for protection of civilian and aid workers at distribution points. Armed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip used a vehicle with a forged emblem of the aid organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), leading to the killing of five armed individuals over the weekend. WCK confirmed upon request that they had been contacted by the Israeli side and confirmed that the vehicle and the individuals did not belong to them.

Israel did not join the appeal, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there is no policy of starvation or hunger in the Gaza Strip. However, around 200 former and active Israeli fighter pilots demonstrated in Tel Aviv for an end to the fighting and an agreement for the release of hostages.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concern about credible information that Israeli security forces had allegedly subjected Palestinian prisoners to sexual violence. His letter to the Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon urges the Israeli government to take immediate action to ensure the immediate cessation of all acts of sexual violence.

The Israeli government introduced the new distribution mechanism of the GHF to bypass UN aid organizations and other initiatives. The Israeli military did not comment on the other five victims of the attack on the journalists. Al-Jazeera corrected the number of its employees killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, stating that three colleagues apart from correspondent Anas al-Sharif died in the attack. Al-Sharif, who was leading a terrorist cell of the Islamic Hamas according to the Israeli military, was among the journalists killed.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to cause widespread suffering and humanitarian concerns, and the international community is urging Israel to take immediate action to alleviate the crisis.

The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, specifically the Israeli government's new plan that includes the capture of Gaza City and the destruction of Hamas, has attracted strong general-news coverage, as well as criticism from various Western states and the international community.
The ongoing crisis in Gaza, marked by severe civilian suffering, blockade-related shortages of essential resources like food, water, and medical supplies, and the worsening health conditions under international humanitarian law obligations, is causing growing concern among the international community, UN, humanitarian organizations, and even some Israeli groups like fighter pilots.
In the midst of this ongoing crisis, incidents of crime-and-justice, such as the forged aid organization emblem incident that led to the killing of five armed individuals in Gaza, have further complicated the already precarious situation in Gaza, drawing attention and calls for protection of civilian and aid workers.

Intensifying global concern regarding the humanitarian predicament in Gaza mounts