Gaza on the Brink: EU top diplomat sounds alarm on humanitarian crisis

In a poignant address at an international forum on humanitarian aid in Brussels, Josep Borrell, the head of EU diplomacy, sounded the alarm on the dire humanitarian situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

Borrell emphasized that hunger has already become a stark reality for thousands of Gaza residents, attributing the crisis to the blockade preventing the delivery of essential humanitarian aid into the enclave, AFP reports.

He lamented the political obstacles obstructing the flow of aid into Gaza, despite ample food supplies amassed at the enclave's borders. He underscored that while food stocks are available, they remain inaccessible to those in need due to political considerations.

"Gaza is no longer on the brink of famine. Hunger has already become a reality for thousands of people," stated Borrell, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the unfolding crisis. He unequivocally placed blame on those impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, denouncing the famine as a man-made catastrophe.

Borrell drew attention to Gaza's status as the world's largest open-air prison even before the recent Israeli military operation, emphasizing that the ongoing blockade has transformed the enclave into a symbol of suffering and a violation of humanitarian law. He called for a reevaluation of the European Union's stance on the conflict, urging ministers to prepare a comprehensive review ahead of the upcoming EU summit.

"I hope that the ministers will prepare for the EU summit a review of the common position of the European Union on this conflict," Borrell asserted, emphasizing the need for concerted international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and uphold the principles of humanitarian law.