European Union Quadrupled Humanitarian Aid To Gaza, Reiterates Call On Hamas To Release The Hostages (Image:Pixabay)
The European Union (EU) quadrupled its humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza, said in an official statement on Sunday. The organisation was also working with its partners to make sure that the aids were rightly given to the “innocent civilians” in Gaza, said the EU President Ursula von der Leyen through her official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.
The 27-member Union has also released an official statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU. The statement expresses EU’s deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestine war. The war has already entered its second month and the Israel administration is experiencing global pressure for an immediate cease-fire and restoration of peace on the Gaza Strip. As Al Jazeera reports, the death toll in Gaza surpassed 11,000 with more than 8,000 children and women.
The @eu_commission has quadrupled its humanitarian aid and is working with partners to make sure the aid gets to innocent civilians in Gaza.
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on humanitarian pauses in Gaza https://t.co/nBuMKJcAJi
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 12, 2023
The EU statement also expresses the Union’s joint call for an immediate pause of hostilities and an establishment of safe humanitarian corridors. It has also demanded for an increased border crossing capacity and a “dedicated maritime route” for the safe shifting of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, whose conditions are day-by-day deteriorating being in the clutches of war.
Meanwhile, the Union also reinstated Israel’s right of self-defence according to the international law and international humanitarian law. “The EU calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and aid to reach those in need through all necessary measures including humanitarian corridors and pauses for humanitarian needs”, reads the statement. They also welcomed the results of November 9 humanitarian conference held in Paris.
As EU & its 27 member states, we are gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
We call for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors, so that humanitarian aid can safely reach the population of Gaza.
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— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 12, 2023
The EU reiterated its call on Hamas, the Palestinian Muslim political and military outfit, for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”. It also condemned “the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas”. The Union demanded a safe passing of civilians who wish to leave the combat zone. They also agreed that the hostilities of the war are making severe impacts on hospitals and medical facilities “taking a horrific toll on civilians and medical staff”.
The Union called for the safety of hospitals and medical supplies, and civilians inside the hospitals who are under treatment. “Hospitals must also be supplied immediately with the most urgent medical supplies and patients that require urgent medical care need to be evacuated safely”. The statement added that, “in this context, we urge Israel to exercise maximum restraint to ensure the protection of civilians”.
To the conclusion, the EU declared that the Union and its member states will continue to work closely with their international partners, the United Nations (UN) and other agencies as well as Middle Eastern countries to ensure a “sustained flow of assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter”.
