International delegates, including 26 foreign ministers, advocate for the right of Non-Governmental Organizations to gain entry into Gaza.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to draw international attention, with representatives from 26 Western countries and the EU Commission urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the region. The joint statement, signed by EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Kaja Kallas, as well as the foreign ministers of most EU countries, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, calls for permanent access for the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian actors to the Palestinian territory.
The crisis has been exacerbated by Israel's restrictive measures on aid delivery, with major international NGOs unable to deliver supplies since early March 2025. The Israeli government has imposed new authorization rules and political criteria, preventing trusted NGOs from delivering essential food, medicine, water, and shelter supplies.
The result has been a significant increase in malnutrition deaths, with hundreds of children among those dying from hunger-related causes in recent months. Over 150 days of aid blockade have led to a drastic deterioration of living conditions in Gaza, with hospitals lacking basic supplies and vulnerable populations like women, children, older people, and persons with disabilities facing extreme hardship in accessing life-saving aid.
The joint statement warns of the spreading specter of famine in the Gaza Strip and calls for urgent action to prevent it. However, the statement does not indicate any consequences if the Israeli government fails to grant access to humanitarian actors. Nor does it mention any specific deadline for the Israeli government to comply with the demand for access to the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has maintained that there is no famine in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu stated that Israel has provided aid to the region, but the only people going hungry are the hostages held by Hamas. Despite these claims, the situation in Gaza remains dire, characterized by catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
The joint statement also calls for the protection of civilians and aid workers at distribution points. It does not specify any conditions for the access of humanitarian actors to the Palestinian territory, nor does it mention any other countries or organizations besides those already listed as signatories. The statement does not indicate any further actions to be taken if the Israeli government does not comply with the demand for access to the Palestinian territory.
The urgent need for action is underscored by the fact that millions of dollars’ worth of aid remains stranded in warehouses outside Gaza, while the Palestinian population faces acute food insecurity and malnutrition. The joint statement serves as a call to action for the international community to address this man-made famine and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
[1] "Israel blocks aid to Gaza, causing a deepening humanitarian crisis," Al Jazeera, March 2025. [2] "Gaza crisis: Children dying of hunger as Israel restricts aid," The Guardian, April 2025. [3] "Israel's new aid rules hinder delivery of essential goods to Gaza," Middle East Eye, March 2025. [4] "Gaza's humanitarian crisis: A ticking time bomb," Amnesty International, April 2025. [5] "UN experts: Israel's actions in Gaza amount to war crimes and genocide," Reuters, April 2025.
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza, marked by war-and-conflicts and exacerbated by politics, has led to a significant increase in malnutrition deaths, with international NGOs unable to deliver aid due to Israel's restrictive measures.
- The general news about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is alarming, as hundreds of children are dying from hunger-related causes and millions of dollars' worth of aid remain stranded, underscoring the urgent need for politics and diplomacy to address this man-made famine and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population.
