7 European governments call on Israel to reverse aid blockade responsible for Gaza 'humanitarian catastrophe'

The leaders of seven European governments have issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s ongoing aid blockade in Gaza that has been in place since March 2.

Israel argues that sufficient humanitarian assistance entered the Strip during a six-week ceasefire and that Hamas has been stealing much of that aid. In recent weeks, though, officials in the Israel Defense Forces have begun warning the political echelon that the enclave is on the brink of starvation.

“We will not be silent in front of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place before our eyes in Gaza. More than 50.000 men, women, and children have lost their lives. Many more could starve to death in the coming days and weeks unless immediate action is taken,” the leaders of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain say in their joint statement.

“We call upon the government of Israel to immediately reverse its current policy, refrain from further military operations and fully lift the blockade, ensuring safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid to be distributed throughout the Gaza Strip by international humanitarian actors and according to humanitarian principles.”