Jerusalem: Twenty-seven partner countries on Tuesday released a joint statement expressing their concerns about the "unimaginable level" of suffering occurring in Gaza, emphasizing that famine is unfolding before the international community's eyes amidst restrictions preventing NGOs and other humanitarian organizations from delivering aid.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the restrictive new registration requirements may compel international NGOs to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) imminently, exacerbating the situation in Gaza. The statement urged the Israeli occupation government to allow all international NGO aid shipments and to enable essential humanitarian actors to operate freely. It stressed that "immediate, permanent, and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs, and humanitarian partners."
The statement emphasized that all crossings and routes should be utilized to allow a deluge of aid into Gaza, including food, nutrition supplies, shelter, fuel, clean water, medicine, and medical equipment. It also called for the protection of civilians, humanitarians, and medical workers, stating that lethal force must not be used at distribution sites.
The partnering countries expressed gratitude towards the US, Qatar, and Egypt for their efforts in advocating for a ceasefire and promoting peace. They stated, "We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered."
This statement was signed by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Additionally, it was endorsed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management.