Thu Mar 06 10:06:01 UTC 2025: **EU Powers Condemn Israeli Aid Blockade to Gaza, Warning of Humanitarian Law Violations**

JERUSALEM/LONDON – The foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement on Wednesday sharply criticizing Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, warning that the action risks violating international humanitarian law. The ministers urged Israel to immediately resume the “full, rapid, safe and unhindered” flow of aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.

The blockade, implemented following the expiration of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, has sparked widespread concern over the potential for widespread hunger and suffering, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. The statement emphasized that humanitarian aid should never be contingent upon a ceasefire or used as a political tool.

Separately, five European members of the UN Security Council echoed these concerns, calling for the immediate resumption of aid flows. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that its existing food supplies for Gaza will only last for less than two weeks, leaving public kitchens and bakeries on the brink of closure.

Reports from Gaza paint a grim picture. Al Jazeera reported that the blockade is having a “massive negative impact,” with shortages of essential goods like flour and medicine. UN officials have warned of devastating consequences for children, particularly newborns, due to the disruption of vital medical supplies, including vaccines and ventilators.

The situation is further complicated by disagreements over the implementation of the ceasefire. Hamas accuses Israel of reneging on the agreement, citing Israel’s refusal to withdraw its forces from the Philadelphi Corridor as scheduled. Israel, meanwhile, seeks a 50-day extension of the first phase of the deal, delaying the agreed-upon second phase. US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit the region to attempt to resolve the deadlock.

The crisis highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and 70 percent of buildings and infrastructure damaged following 15 months of conflict. Rights groups have accused Israel of war crimes and violations of international law for its actions.

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