Aid organizations have welcomed the willingness of numerous German cities to offer refuge and care for injured and traumatized children from both the Gaza Strip and Israel, whilst simultaneously urging the federal government to intensify its efforts to alleviate suffering on the ground.
“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic” stated Lara Dovifat, head of the political department at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), in a recent interview. “We are witnessing evacuations that can and are, taking place to European countries. Germany’s neighboring nations have taken the lead; it’s time for the federal government to become actively involved and fulfill its responsibility.
Dovifat emphasized the need for increased governmental action to improve medical access within Gaza and advocated for Germany to assist by receiving severely injured and ill individuals from the region.
Tsafrir Cohen, managing director of Medico International, affirmed the primacy of humanitarian aid. “When assistance isn’t possible on the ground, support from abroad is necessary” he stated. Cohen criticized what he perceives as the federal government’s reluctance to accept those in need, describing it as a lack of empathy for the suffering of Palestinians.
While acknowledging Israel’s role in the crisis, Cohen also directed criticism towards the German government. “The systematic destruction of healthcare and essential living conditions by the Israeli army is preventing adequate aid from reaching those in need on the ground” he explained. “Germany bears a degree of responsibility for this and it is our political and moral duty to work towards improving living conditions in Gaza.
Cohen called for “a genuine political shift” from the German federal government, welcoming the recent decision by parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz to halt arms exports to Israel. He suggested further measures, such as the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel, should Prime Minister Netanyahu remain unresponsive.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, conducted in May, the entire population of the Gaza Strip is projected to face high acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) by September. The analysis forecasts that half a million people will be in a catastrophic situation (IPC Phase 5) characterized by extreme food shortages, famine, destitution and death. Furthermore, over 70,000 children under five and 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition.
Experts report that the situation has significantly deteriorated since May. While an estimated 500 trucks carrying aid are needed daily for Gaza, only approximately 70 have been able to reach the population in recent weeks due to Israeli restrictions.