22
Jul
Jul
GLOBAL LEADERS CONDEMN ISRAEL OVER GAZA AID CRISIS
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CapitalTimesNews / 7 months
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- 2 min read
The UK and 27 other countries have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, where civilians are facing unprecedented suffering. The statement, signed by foreign ministers from nations including Australia, Canada, France, and Italy, condemns Israel’s aid delivery model, describing it as “dangerous” and “inhumane.” “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 reads. “It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.” The countries also expressed concern over Israel’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s 2.1 million residents to a “humanitarian city” in southern Rafah, calling it “unacceptable” and a potential violation of international humanitarian law. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “A litany of horrors” is unfolding in Gaza, including strikes that have killed “desperate, starving children.” Lammy announced an additional £40 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza, stressing that while he supports Israel’s right to exist, its actions are “doing untold damage to Israel’s standing in the world and undermining Israel’s long-term security.” The statement comes amid reports of widespread hunger and malnutrition in Gaza, with the UN warning of a deepening crisis. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that 19 people have died from malnutrition since Saturday, and hospitals are struggling to provide basic care due to food shortages. Dr. Khalil al-Daqran, spokesperson for al-Aqsa hospital, described the dire situation: “Hospitals can no longer provide food for patients or staff… all baby formula has run out from the market.” Residents, like Mohammad Emad al-Din, a barber and father of two, are struggling to access basic necessities. “My children cry from hunger all night. They’ve had only a small plate of lentils over the past three days. There’s no bread,” he said. The Israeli foreign ministry rejected the international statement, claiming it was “disconnected from reality” and would send the wrong message to Hamas. However, the UN Secretary General’s spokesperson emphasized that Israel has an obligation to facilitate humanitarian relief in Gaza. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 59,029 people killed since the Israeli military launched its campaign in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023. The international community’s call for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis.