Joint statement on behalf of 27 partners on aid to Gaza
and restrictions facing NGOs
The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable
levels. Famine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is
needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space
must be protected, and aid should never be politicised.
However, due to restrictive new registration requirements,
essential international NGOs may be forced to leave the OPTs
imminently which would worsen the humanitarian situation still
further. We call on the government of Israel to provide
authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and to
unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. Immediate,
permanent and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe,
large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs and
humanitarian partners. All crossings and routes must be used to
allow a flood of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition
supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine and medical
equipment. Lethal force must not be used at distribution sites,
and civilians, humanitarians and medical workers must be
protected.
We are grateful to the US, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in
pushing for a ceasefire and pursuing peace. We need a ceasefire
that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to
enter Gaza by land unhindered.
This statement has been signed by:
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The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,
Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
the UK.
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The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU
Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the EU Commissioner
for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management.
