Twenty-six countries, including the European Union (EU), Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, have condemned the “unimaginable suffering” and escalating famine in Gaza caused by Israel’s ongoing military offensive and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
According to the Times of Israel, in a joint statement signed by the EU’s top diplomat and foreign ministers from 26 nations, the signatories called for urgent action to prevent further famine.
“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached an unimaginable level, unfolding before the world’s eyes,” the statement read. “Widespread hunger and malnutrition are worsening by the day. Immediate, sustained, and concrete measures must be taken to ensure aid reaches those in need.”
Seventeen EU member states—including France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland—endorsed the statement, which sharply criticized Israel and urged an end to deadly attacks on aid distribution centers and convoys. According to UN figures, more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in such attacks.
The UN has warned that Israel’s blockade and continued strikes are pushing Gaza to the brink of famine, while international organizations have repeatedly accused Israel of obstructing aid deliveries. Israel has rejected the famine claims, blaming the UN for delays in distribution.
Separately, the World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to Israel for permission to stockpile emergency medical supplies in Gaza to address the territory’s worsening health crisis.
On Tuesday alone, at least 73 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, including 19 who died while collecting aid. Two others including a six-year-old child died from starvation the same day.