EU parliamentary group leaders demand end to Gaza aid blockade
The leaders of several political groups in the European Parliament on Saturday called on Israel to allow the immediate resumption of aid supplies into the Gaza Strip.
'We call for immediate action by the Israeli authorities, in cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organisations, to secure unrestricted access to essential humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian population in Gaza,' read the statement.
It was issued by Manfred Weber of the conservative European People's Party (EPP), Iratxe García of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Valérie Hayer of Renew Europe, Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout of the Greens/European Free Alliance, and Martin Schirdewan of the Left.
'We call for immediate and effective international action to ease the intolerable humanitarian crisis in Gaza against the backdrop of the blockade enacted by the Israeli government that prevents humanitarian aid from reaching the civilian population living in inhumane conditions,' the statement continued.
The signatories also condemned 'any act of politicization or militarisation of humanitarian aid.' At the same time, they called for proactive diplomatic efforts by the EU to achieve a lasting ceasefire and reaffirm the European Parliament's commitment to a two-state solution.
For more than two months, the Israeli military has barred aid supplies from entering the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian situation has reached catastrophic proportions.
There is a lack of food, drinking water, medicine and everyday necessities, prompting international aid organizations to urgently warn of a growing famine. (DPA)
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