Gaza , 19 March, 2024 (GNP): The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, remarked that Israel’s military operation in Gaza had transformed the area into the largest “open-air graveyard” in the world.
“Gaza was before the war the greatest open-air prison. Today it’s the greatest open-air graveyard,” Borrell made this statement on Monday during a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.
“It’s a graveyard for tens of thousands of people and also a graveyard for many of the most important principles of humanitarian law.”
“Israel is instigating famine,” he stated at a humanitarian conference. In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, rebuked Borrell and advised him to “to stop attacking Israel and recognise our right to self-defence against Hamas’ crimes.
Katz claimed on X “Israel allows extensive humanitarian aid into Gaza by land, air, and sea for anyone willing to help”.
Following the attack on October 7th, a devastating conflict erupted in Gaza, marking one of the bloodiest episodes in the region’s history.
Reports indicate that over 30,000 Palestinians, including a majority of women and children, lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces.
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According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 31,726 people, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Despite the urgency of the situation, the 27-nation European Union has struggled to formulate a cohesive response to the conflict in Gaza. Divisions within the bloc have led to differing stances, with some members staunchly supporting Israel while others advocate for the Palestinian cause.
EU ministers convened to discuss proposals aimed at addressing the crisis, including a suggestion by Ireland and Spain to suspend a cooperation agreement with Israel. However, garnering unanimous support from all 27 member states proved challenging. Nonetheless, the bloc was anticipated to reach consensus on implementing sanctions.
Meanwhile, both Britain and the United States have already implemented sanctions targeting a select group of “extremist” settlers. As the international community grapples with the escalating violence and humanitarian fallout, diplomatic efforts continue in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the crisis.