European Union’s Foreign Affairs Chief, Josep Borrell, addressed the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza, stating that “starvation is being wielded as a weapon of war” by Israel.
Borrell emphasised that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is entirely man-made, attributing it to the deliberate closure of vital supply routes by Israeli authorities. He stressed that the blockade imposed by Israel has resulted in a catastrophic situation, akin to a “man-made humanitarian disaster.”
In response to the escalating crisis, Borrell announced that the EU is stepping up its humanitarian assistance efforts. However, he urged the international community to mobilise swiftly, underscoring the urgent need for Israeli authorities to cease obstructing humanitarian access to Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza has led to mass displacement, with a significant portion of Gaza’s population facing starvation due to restricted access to food supplies imposed by Israel.
The latest wave of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 88 Palestinians and injuries to 135 others within the past 24 hours alone, according to Palestine’s Health Ministry. This escalation brings the total death toll to 31,272 Palestinians and 73,024 injured since Israel initiated its military campaign on Gaza on October 7.
The situation continues to deteriorate as Israel maintains its blockade of the coastal enclave, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and leaving Gaza’s population in a desperate struggle for survival.