Baghdad: The Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, and Germany have issued a joint call for Israel to meet its international obligations by allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in a “full, rapid, safe, and unhindered manner.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ministers emphasized in their statement that blocking the entry of goods and aid into the Gaza Strip could potentially violate international humanitarian law. They expressed serious concerns over Israel’s decision to halt the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza, describing the humanitarian situation there as catastrophic.

The statement further highlighted that humanitarian aid delivery should not be contingent upon a ceasefire nor be manipulated for political purposes. It underscored the necessity of providing essential materials such as medical equipment and water supplies to address the urgent humanitarian and recovery needs in Gaza.

The foreign ministers also urged all involved parties to commit to a ceasefire, which should pave the way for sustainable peace, the reconstruction of Gaza, and a credible path towards a two-state solution.

Israel’s recent decision to suspend humanitarian aid entry and close all crossings “until further notice” has significantly hindered the flow of crucial supplies needed by the population, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

This decision has triggered widespread international condemnation, with the United Nations and various relief organizations warning of severe consequences for more than two million Palestinians who are already living under dire humanitarian conditions.