The European Union demands that the Israeli authorities open the Gaza crossings as winter conditions worsen a humanitarian emergency.
The European Union has issued an urgent appeal for the reopening of all border crossings to Gaza, warning that continued restrictions on humanitarian aid are worsening an already catastrophic situation for the Palestinian population.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kalas, expressed deep concern at the deterioration of conditions, stressing that humanitarian organizations should be given unrestricted access to deliver essential supplies, maintain relief operations and support early recovery efforts.
Heavy rain, widespread flooding and plummeting winter temperatures intensified the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, many of whom remained exposed to the elements in overcrowded makeshift shelters.
Figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), cited by Brussels, illustrate the scale of the emergency:
94% of the Gaza population urgently needs adequate shelter.
65% live in tents or other temporary housing.
650,000 children do not have enough winter clothes and blankets to protect them from the cold.
Kalas emphasized that the Israeli authorities must allow UN agencies, international aid organizations and humanitarian non-governmental organizations to operate without interference.
She also emphasized that the Israeli government remains committed to its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights, including ensuring that the necessary aid reaches the citizens.
Brussels also called for the full implementation of existing humanitarian commitments and the resumption of ongoing large-scale aid operations.
As winter conditions become increasingly severe, the EU warning highlights the urgent need to remove barriers to humanitarian aid and prevent further suffering among the displaced civilian population in Gaza.