Germany, France and the UK demand aid delivery to enter the Gaza Strip

Germany, France and the UK have called on Israel to block humanitarian aid in Gaza, which has been in more than 50 days.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the three countries warned that the humanitarian crisis on sealed territory worsened.

“Palestinian civilians, including one million children, are at acute risk of hunger, epidemics and death. This must end,” the statement said.

“Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool…Israel is bound by international law to allow unhindered humanitarian aid.”

The government has asked Israel to grant safe entry to Gaza to UN agencies and humanitarian organizations. They also warned that Hamas must not transfer aid for its own benefit or use civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

The three countries further condemn the recent remarks made by Israeli Defense Minister Katz, who suggested that Israel should permanently occupy Gaza. “The size of the Palestinian territory should neither be reduced nor demographically changed,” they said.

Israel refuses to accuse it of politicizing aid. “Israel is monitoring the situation on the ground and there is no shortage of aid in the Gaza region,” said Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

Malmostan also accused three European governments of equating Israel with Hamas. He said Hamas launched a war in the Israeli massacre on October 7, 2023 and was responsible for its persistence and Palestinian suffering.

United Nations: Gaza faces “the worst humanitarian crisis” since the war begins

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Gaza “could face the worst humanitarian crisis” a year and a half ago since the conflict began.

An OCHA report said ongoing Israeli military operations, aid blockade, attacks on aid personnel and severe movement restrictions.

According to a recent investigation, 43 international and Palestinian aid organizations operating in Gaza have been almost forced to suspend or significantly expand their operations since the resumption of the Israeli attack on March 18. Since then, about half of the people have been displaced again.

Charity Oxfam reported that clean drinking water was almost inoperable and that sanitation infrastructure was unavailable due to bomb and fuel shortages. There is little food, prices soaring, and emergency generators rarely operate. Israel accused Hamas of seizing aid and reselling it at a high price.

Israel hits former Gaza school

Hamas-controlled civil defense agency said ten people were killed in a former teaching building in Gaza that was used to shelter displaced Palestinians.

The Israeli military confirmed a strike, noting that the building was used as a command center by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

The military said the groups were present and planned to attack Israeli civilians.

According to the military, Hamas used Palestinian civilians as human shields. It added that several measures were taken before the overnight strike to minimize harm to civilians.

Videos spread by Palestinian media appeared to show fires and extensive damage to the scene, including destroyed tents. Unconfirmed reports indicate that some victims were burned.