EU concerned over deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs in a meeting on Monday expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to Gaza.

The meeting was chaired by Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. 

“As the EU and its 27 member states, we are gravely concerned about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” he said in a post on Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“We call for immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors, so that humanitarian aid can safely reach the population of Gaza.”

“We call on Hamas to immediately and unconditional release all hostages. We condemn the use of hospitals and civilians as human shields by Hamas,” he added.

“Civilians must be allowed to leave the combat zone. Hostilities are severely impacting hospitals and taking a horrific toll on civilians.”

EU High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told Kurdistan 24's Barzan Hassan that there is a need an immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza "because Gaza needs more aid" pic.twitter.com/I1EDiEP7yr

— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) November 14, 2023

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Borrell, also told Kurdistan 24's Barzan Hassan that there is the need for “immediate humanitarian pauses in order to facilitate that aid could come into Gaza, because Gaza needs more aid and any point of view: water, fuel, food, aid is available, waiting to come in.”

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told Kurdistan 24’s correspondent Barzan Hassan on tuesday that there is a need for humanitarian corridors in Gaza in order to ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“We have said from the very beginning, while Israel has the right to protect its civilians, it has to adhere to international law, and especially humanitarian law,” she said.

However, she said “the same applies to Hamas as well.” Moreover, she condemned the actions of Hamas and the use of civilians as ‘human shields.”

Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren told Kurdistan 24’s Barzan Hassan that "Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must do so in coherence with international law." pic.twitter.com/1vzAyeyBUS

— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) November 14, 2023

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, told Barzan Hassan that she is very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. “And from the beginning, we have said, we have condemned the Hamas attack and of course, Israel has the right to defend itself.”

However, she underlined that Israel “must do so in coherence with international law. And as the humanitarian situation is deteriorating right now, I'm really calling upon Israel to respect international law and to allow for a pause in the fighting to allow for humanitarian aid. I think it's vital.”

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told Kurdistan 24’s Barzan Hassan that there is a need for short ceasefires in Israel in order for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but he underlined Israel still has the ‘right of self defense’. pic.twitter.com/UdiU6S92wc

— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) November 14, 2023

Also German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told Kurdistan 24’s Barzan Hassan that there is a need for short ceasefires in Israel in order for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, but he underlined Israel still has the ‘right of self defense’. “We have to keep that in mind,” he added.

On Oct. 7, Hamas reportedly killed 1,200 Israelis and abducted 240 hostages. In response, over 11,300 Palestinians reportedly lost their lives in military operations conducted by Israel in Gaza.