Global coalition denounces Gaza civilian deaths, urges end to Israeli blockade

More than two dozen countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and the European Union, have collectively condemned Israel’s “inhumane killing” of civilians in the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the besieged enclave.

In a joint statement issued on July 21, the foreign ministers of 25 nations alongside the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, expressed grave concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis. They warned that the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached “new depths,” Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

“The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity,” the statement asserted.

“We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.”

The statement highlighted the deaths of over 800 Palestinians attempting to access aid since the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations in late May as “horrifying.” It further condemned the Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population as “unacceptable.”

“Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” the ministers emphasized. The declaration was signed by representatives from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the EU commissioner.

Addressing the plight of hostages, the statement condemned their detention and called for their “immediate and unconditional release.” It noted that Hamas took approximately 250 Israeli hostages during its October 7, 2023 attack, with around 20 believed to remain alive.

The signatories urged the Israeli government “to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life saving work safely and effectively.”

Calling on all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law, the statement denounced proposals to relocate the Palestinian population into a so-called “humanitarian city” as “completely unacceptable.”

“Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law. We strongly oppose any steps towards territorial or demographic change in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.”

The coalition of countries also reaffirmed their “complete support” for ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt aimed at securing an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire.

By Vafa Guliyeva