Leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom and France have issued a joint call urging the Israeli government to immediately facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. In a statement released Friday, Friedrich Merz (CDU), Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron expressed grave concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis within Gaza, stating, “The humanitarian catastrophe we are currently witnessing in Gaza must end immediately.
The leaders emphasized the necessity of removing restrictions on aid transport and allowing the United Nations and humanitarian non-governmental organizations to urgently continue their efforts to combat hunger. They underscored Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, insisting that the most basic needs of the civilian population, including access to water and food, must be met without delay. The statement declared the withholding of vital humanitarian assistance to civilians as unacceptable.
The joint statement also addressed concerns regarding the broader context of the region, firmly opposing any efforts to assert Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories. The declaration specified that threats of annexation, settlement construction and acts of violence by settlers against Palestinians would undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, a recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report indicated that the entire population of Gaza is experiencing acute food insecurity (IPC Level 3). Prior to this, approximately 470,000 people in Gaza were already facing imminent risk of starvation, classified under the highest IPC Level 5. The IPC system is a globally recognized tool for classifying hunger.
Current reports suggest that only about 28 trucks of aid are currently being permitted entry into Gaza daily, a significant shortfall compared to the estimated 500 to 600 truckloads required to adequately address the needs of the population. The leaders reiterated a call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, the disarmament of the organization and a commitment to a diplomatic resolution.