Joseph Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning the use of starvation as a tactic in warfare and drawing attention to international efforts to alleviate the situation.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Joseph Borrell, has warned that starvation is being used as a weapon of war in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, labeling the situation a “manmade” catastrophe. This announcement comes as a Spanish ship loaded with vital food supplies heads towards Gaza in an attempt to address the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Borrell, speaking at the UN Security Council, emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and condemned the use of starvation as warfare, drawing parallels with events in Ukraine.
The alarming humanitarian situation has been underscored by recent UN warnings, which state that approximately 576,000 people in Gaza are facing famine, with at least 27 individuals having died from malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks. In response to this crisis, efforts, including those by the United States to send a military ship equipped to build a temporary pier, aim to facilitate the delivery of aid by sea.
Amid these developments, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has pledged to continue military operations in southern Gaza, aiming to secure civilians while pursuing strategic objectives. The UK has proposed opening Ashdod port for seaborne aid shipments to Gaza in an effort to address the humanitarian needs amid the conflict.
Separately, former UK Prime Minister and now Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has called on Israel to grant more visas to United Nations aid workers in Gaza to improve the distribution of humanitarian aid. Cameron highlighted the sharing of aid in Gaza as a particularly difficult challenge and advocated for the opening of more land routes and the easing of screening requirements. He also called for Israel to facilitate the delivery of aid by allowing use of Ashdod port and to work towards restoring essential services like electricity and water in Gaza. Additionally, he has supported calls for the removal of Hamas from power and urged the BBC World Service to label Hamas as a terrorist group to ensure clarity and accountability in reporting.
Furthermore, the US Army has embarked on a significant mission to construct a floating pier off the shore of Gaza to help deliver essential food and supplies, addressing the dire humanitarian crisis. Four Army boats carrying necessary equipment have set sail from Virginia, with the operation involving around 1,000 US troops and expected to take several weeks. This initiative showcases the US Army’s unique maritime capabilities and commitment to humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing conflict.
