**International Pressure Mounts on Israel to End Gaza Conflict**
A joint statement from 27 countries, including the UK, has called for an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza. The statement, which was released on Sunday, condemns the “inhumane killing of civilians” who are seeking food and water in the besieged territory.
The statement, which was signed by foreign ministers from Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland, among others, says that the suffering of civilians in Gaza has “reached new heights”. It also condemns the Israeli government’s aid delivery model, saying it is “dangerous” and fuels instability.
The statement notes that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get aid, and warns that the current situation is “shocking”. The UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, told the House of Commons that a “litany of terrors” was taking place in Gaza, including strikes that had killed “desperate and starving children”.
**Humanitarian Crisis Deepens**
The conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to the UN, over 90,000 women and children are urgently in need of treatment for malnutrition. The World Food Programme warned that Gaza’s food crisis had reached a “new level of desperation”, with people dying because of lack of humanitarian aid.
Gaza’s Hamas health ministry reported that 19 people have died from malnutrition in the past seven days, and warned of “mass death” in the near future. Hospitals are struggling to provide food for patients and staff, with some medical centers unable to even provide a single milk bottle for hungry children.
**International Community Demands Action**
The statement from the 27 countries demands that Israel, Hamas, and the international community take immediate action to end the conflict. The statement says that Israeli proposals to move Gaza’s entire population into a “humanitarian town” in southern Rafah are unacceptable, as they would involve permanently forced displacement.
The statement calls on all parties to work towards a permanent, unconditional, and immediate end to the conflict, and warns that further action may be taken if this is not achieved. Many people interpret this as a code for recognition of a Palestinian state, which many countries have already done.
**Israel Rejects Criticism**
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has rejected criticism from the international community, saying that Hamas is responsible for the failure to reach a deal on the release of hostages and a ceasefire. The ministry said that Hamas was deliberately trying to cause friction and harm civilians who were receiving humanitarian aid.
In a statement, the ministry said that Israel was acting in accordance with international law and leading efforts to facilitate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the UN has stated that it is struggling to pick up and deliver supplies due to ongoing hostilities and Israeli restrictions on humanitarian movement.
**Aid Supplies Rotting**
Despite Israel’s claims that it is facilitating entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, some journalists have reported seeing aid supplies rotting because the UN refused to deliver them. The Israeli military has acknowledged incidents where civilians were injured while seeking help, but says they are working to minimize “possible friction” between the population and its forces.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of people trapped in the besieged territory and no clear end to the conflict in sight.
