Crisis in Gaza: Urgent Call for Humanitarian Aid and Lifting of Restrictions
International delegates, alongside 26 foreign ministers, demand non-governmental organizations be granted entry to Gaza
The current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is of great concern, with reports of a potential famine and severe restrictions on aid deliveries imposed by Israel.
Humanitarian Aid Deliveries and Food Security
According to UN humanitarians, the small amount of aid entering Gaza is insufficient to prevent widespread starvation. As of early August 2025, humanitarian efforts included the preparation and delivery of about 259,000 meals by 16 partners through 76 kitchens. However, most food items brought into Gaza were reportedly looted or offloaded by crowds, leading to a critical shortage.
Access to Aid and Displacement
The Israeli government's policy of severely restricting humanitarian aid has exacerbated the crisis. Over 60,000 fatalities and 90% of the population have been displaced, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians ordered to move to areas with limited access to essential services.
International Response and Calls for Action
The UN has called for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis, urging Israel to lift its blockade and allow for large-scale aid deliveries. The international community, including representatives from 26 Western countries and the EU Commission, is pressing for Israel to allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and shelter.
The representatives further demanded that the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian actors be granted permanent access to the Palestinian territory in Gaza. They also called for the utilization of all border crossings and routes for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
Controversial Statements and Criticism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that there is no famine in the Gaza Strip, claiming that Israel has "inundated" the coastal region with aid. However, this statement contradicts the reports and concerns raised by the UN and other organizations. The UN and other entities have criticized Israel's restrictive measures and the use of lethal force at aid distribution sites.
The Joint Declaration
A joint declaration, signed by the Foreign Ministers of most EU countries, as well as representatives from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, emphasizes the need to protect civilians and aid workers at distribution points. The declaration also calls for the utilization of all border crossings and routes for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
Future Prospects
The situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly, with the risk of famine becoming increasingly real. International NGOs face new registration requirements that threaten their ability to continue operations in Gaza, potentially worsening the humanitarian situation.
The representatives from the 26 Western countries and the EU Commission are urging Israel to allow aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip to prevent further crisis and loss of life.
- Despite Israel's claims of providing ample aid to the Gaza Strip, the UN and other entities continue to raise concerns about the severity of the humanitarian crisis, with reports of potential famine and insufficient aid deliveries.
- The international community, including representatives from various Western countries and the EU Commission, have called for Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid and allow for safe and unhindered access, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and aid workers during distribution.
