Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom have urged Israel to allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning that conditions are deteriorating as winter takes hold.
The joint statement called for border crossings to be opened and tents held at the border to be allowed into the territory, where heavy rain has flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians.
“We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom, are clear that as winter takes hold in Gaza, the humanitarian situation on the ground is dire,” the statement said.
It urged the Israeli government to “stop the delays now” and permit humanitarian access throughout Gaza. The ministers also called for dual-use items needed for humanitarian operations and early recovery to be admitted “before it is too late”.
The World Health Organisation warned over the weekend that the situation on the ground was worsening. Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, the WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said respiratory illnesses were surging, with acute respiratory infections 33,000 cases higher than at the same time last year.
The statement also called on all parties to implement the Comprehensive Plan for Gaza, respect the ceasefire and meet their obligations under international humanitarian law, allowing aid to reach those in need.
