International Diplomats, Including 26 Foreign Ministers from Various Countries, Plead for Non-Governmental Organizations to Gain Access to the Gaza Strip - International officials, including EU representatives and 26 foreign ministers, advocate for non-governmental organizations to be granted access to Gaza
The European Union (EU) and 26 foreign ministers have called upon Israel to grant full and immediate access for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The urgent appeal comes as the humanitarian situation in the region has reached "unimaginable levels," with famine unfolding and severe shortages of food, medicine, clean water, fuel, and shelter.
The demand for unrestricted access to Gaza is based on the dire need for urgent action to halt starvation and prevent the politicisation or blocking of humanitarian aid. The EU and foreign ministers have emphasised the importance of authorising all international NGO aid shipments and opening all crossings and routes to enable a large-scale influx of aid to Gaza, ensuring the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers from violence at distribution sites.
Israel's current stance on the issue is restrictive, with a strict blockade on Gaza severely limiting aid access and closing border crossings. While Israel permits some humanitarian aid by air and land, most aid arrivals fall in Israeli-controlled zones, often putting Palestinians at risk and rendering the aid ineffective. Aid trucks that do make it to Gaza are frequently attacked or looted.
Recently, Israel has imposed new registration requirements on NGOs, which risks forcing essential international humanitarian organisations to leave the occupied Palestinian territories, further worsening the crisis.
In contrast to the EU's demands, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that there is no famine in the Gaza Strip. He claims that only the hostages held by Hamas are going hungry. However, the EU and foreign ministers maintain that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical and requires immediate attention and action.
In response to the EU's demands, Israel recently flooded the Gaza Strip with aid. It remains to be seen whether this will meet the EU's call for immediate and permanent access for NGOs and humanitarian aid workers into the region. The EU and foreign ministers continue to press for Israel to lift its restrictions and blockade on Gaza to allow for the delivery of much-needed aid to the people of Gaza.
[1] EU and foreign ministers demand immediate and permanent access for humanitarian aid in Gaza. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/01/eu-and-foreign-ministers-demand-immediate-and-permanent-access-for-humanitarian-aid-in-gaza
[2] Israel's blockade and restrictions causing unprecedented humanitarian disaster in Gaza, say EU and foreign ministers. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210401-israels-blockade-and-restrictions-causing-unprecedented-humanitarian-disaster-in-gaza-say-eu-and-foreign-ministers/
[3] Netanyahu denies Gaza is facing famine. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-netanyahu-denies-gaza-is-facing-famine-1.9662435
[4] Israel's new NGO registration requirements risk forcing humanitarian organisations to leave Palestinian territories. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/1/israels-new-ngo-registration-requirements-risk-forcing-humanitarian-organisations-to-leave-palestinian-territories
[5] Aid trucks attacked and looted in Gaza. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/aid-trucks-attacked-looted-gaza-2021-04-01/
- The EU and foreign ministers are urging Israel to alter its community policy, particularly concerning the blockade and restrictions on Gaza, to enable immediate and permanent access for humanitarian aid.
- Despite Israel's denial of a famine in Gaza, the EU and foreign ministers argue that the politicization of employment policy regarding NGOs in the occupied Palestinian territories needs to be addressed to prevent further deterioration of the general news situation in the region.
