European countries call on Israel to lift the blockade and end the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip
Leaders of seven European countries called on Israel on Friday to negotiate in good faith to end the genocidal war waged against the Gaza Strip for nearly 20 months and lift the blockade on the territory.
This came in a joint statement by the leaders of Spain, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, and Slovenia, in which they declared their rejection of any plans for forced displacement from the Strip or demographic change.
“We won’t remain silent in the face of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes in Gaza,” the leaders said in the statement.
The statement pointed out that more than 50,000 men, women and children lost their lives in Gaza.
European leaders warned that many more people could starve to death in the coming days and weeks unless immediate action is taken.
In this regard, they called on the Israeli government to immediately reverse its current policies and refrain from carrying out further military operations in Gaza.
They also called on it to completely lift the blockade on Gaza, ensuring the safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip by international humanitarian agencies and in accordance with humanitarian principles.
They stressed the need to support the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and ensure their safe and unrestricted access to those in need in Gaza.
The European leaders also called on all parties to engage immediately, in good faith, in negotiations aimed at a ceasefire and the release of all hostages, while acknowledging the important role played by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar in this regard.
