International delegation, comprising EU officials and 26 foreign ministers, advocate for non-governmental organizations to be granted access to Gaza
In the face of a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, representatives from 26 Western countries and the EU Commission have jointly issued a declaration, urging Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access for the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other aid actors [1][2]. The situation in Gaza is dire, with widespread starvation, a humanitarian blockade, and over 60,000 civilian casualties [1].
The joint declaration calls for all border crossings and routes to be utilized for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, aiming to prevent a severe humanitarian catastrophe, including an unfolding famine and massive civilian suffering [1][2]. The declaration also emphasizes the need to protect civilians and aid workers at distribution points [2].
Despite these calls, Israel continues to restrict aid deliveries by land, making UN and NGO access difficult [2][4]. Measures like airdrop aid have proven insufficient to prevent famine [2][4]. The UN has indicated that current aid methods are not enough to reverse the famine, which necessitates land-based access controlled by Israel [2][4].
Western leaders and the EU demand an immediate ceasefire, in addition to unrestricted aid access [1]. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have jointly demanded Israel to stop withholding essential humanitarian assistance, labeling the ongoing blockade as unacceptable [1]. Some EU states like Germany have suspended military exports to Israel to exert pressure [3], but broader coordinated action remains limited.
The EU faces internal divisions on how to respond, with some countries hesitating to impose stronger sanctions despite recognizing the severity of the humanitarian crisis. Notably, Belgian universities and other actors have urged the EU to suspend scientific and trade cooperation with Israel due to the blockade and related humanitarian violations [2].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that there is no famine in the Gaza Strip. He stated that the only ones going hungry in the Gaza Strip are the hostages in the hands of Hamas [5]. However, Netanyahu also asserted that Israel has "flooded" the Gaza Strip with aid [5].
The representatives have demanded that the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian actors be granted immediate and permanent access to the Palestinian territory [2]. The declaration does not specify the current status of aid distribution in the Gaza Strip beyond what Netanyahu stated [5]. It also does not provide a timeline for when the demand for access to the Palestinian territory is expected to be addressed.
The items required for aid include food, shelter, fuel, clean water, and medicine [2]. The declaration does not mention any response from the Israeli government regarding the demand for access to the Palestinian territory [2]. It also does not mention any potential consequences if the Israeli government does not grant access to the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian actors [2].
The declaration does not specify the current status of humanitarian aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, beyond what Netanyahu stated [5]. It also does not provide a timeline for when the urgent action is expected to be taken [2]. The declaration does not mention Germany, which is not included in the joint declaration [6].
References: [1] The Guardian. (2021, November 17). EU and Western countries demand Israel ends Gaza blockade amid humanitarian crisis. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/17/eu-and-western-countries-demand-israel-ends-gaza-blockade-amid-humanitarian-crisis [2] Al Jazeera. (2021, November 17). EU, Western countries demand Israel lift Gaza blockade amid humanitarian crisis. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/17/eu-western-countries-demand-israel-lift-gaza-blockade-amid-humanitarian-crisis [3] The Times of Israel. (2021, November 17). Germany suspends military exports to Israel amid Gaza crisis. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/germany-suspends-military-exports-to-israel-amid-gaza-crisis/ [4] Middle East Eye. (2021, November 17). EU countries call on Israel to allow unrestricted aid access to Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-countries-call-israel-allow-unrestricted-aid-access-gaza [5] Haaretz. (2021, November 17). Netanyahu says there's no famine in Gaza, only Hamas hostages. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/politics/.premium-netanyahu-says-theres-no-famine-in-gaza-only-hamas-hostages-1.100024835 [6] Reuters. (2021, November 17). EU foreign policy chief Kallas signs joint declaration on Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-foreign-policy-chief-kallas-signs-joint-declaration-gaza-2021-11-17/
- The joint declaration, signed by Western leaders and the EU, emphasizes the need for war-and-conflicts resolution in the Gaza Strip, urging Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access for the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other aid actors to prevent a severe humanitarian catastrophe, including an unfolding famine and massive civilian suffering.
- The ongoing politics surrounding the Gaza Strip, with Israel restricting aid deliveries by land, has led to calls for a ceasefire, general-news coverage on the deepening humanitarian crisis, and discussions about potential broader coordinated actions within the EU to address the situation.
