May 10, 2025 – The leaders of several political groups in the European Parliament have issued an urgent call for Israel to immediately lift its blockade on aid shipments to the Gaza Strip. The demand comes as the humanitarian crisis in the region reaches catastrophic levels, with the death toll surpassing 52,800 Palestinians.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, prominent European lawmakers including Manfred Weber of the European People’s Party (EPP), Iratxe García of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Valérie Hayer of Renew Europe, Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout of the Greens/European Free Alliance, and Martin Schirdewan of the Left, called for immediate action to ensure unrestricted access for essential humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza.
“We call for immediate action by the Israeli authorities, in cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, to secure unrestricted access to essential humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian population in Gaza,” the statement read.
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The EU politicians condemned Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza, highlighting its devastating impact on the civilian population. “We call for immediate and effective international action to ease the intolerable humanitarian crisis in Gaza against the backdrop of the blockade enacted by the Israeli government that prevents humanitarian aid from reaching the civilian population living in inhumane conditions,” they said.
The statement also stressed the need for proactive diplomatic efforts by the EU to secure a lasting ceasefire and reaffirmed the European Parliament’s commitment to a two-state solution. Furthermore, the signatories condemned any act of politicization or militarization of humanitarian aid, stressing that such actions exacerbate the crisis.
For more than two months, the Israeli military has prevented aid supplies from entering Gaza, leaving the region in dire conditions. There is a severe shortage of food, clean drinking water, medical supplies, and basic necessities. International aid organizations have repeatedly warned of the impending threat of famine as the situation continues to worsen.
Death Toll Hits 52,800
The humanitarian toll continues to climb, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting that at least 52,810 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign since October 2023. In a statement on Saturday, the Health Ministry revealed that 23 people were killed in the last 24 hours alone, with 124 others injured. The total number of injuries now stands at 119,473, further highlighting the catastrophic impact of the ongoing conflict.
Many victims remain trapped under rubble or stranded in areas that rescuers are unable to reach. The situation is particularly dire given the limitations on rescue operations due to the ongoing bombardments. The Israeli military resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, breaking a ceasefire agreement and leading to the deaths of 2,701 more Palestinians, with another 7,432 injured.
International Legal Actions Against Israel
The international community has taken steps to address Israel’s actions, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave, further intensifying international scrutiny and condemnation.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates, EU politicians are calling for urgent action to ensure that aid reaches those in need and that a lasting ceasefire is achieved to prevent further loss of life.
This article is originally published on: dailysabah
