Humanitarian Aid Must Never Be Used as a Political Tool: Joint Statement on Gaza

Strategic Insights -

A dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza, with the World Food Programme warning that Palestinian civilians, including children, face starvation due to Israel's blockade of aid. The UK, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia have issued a joint statement condemning the use of humanitarian aid as a political tool or military tactic, calling for an immediate return to a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia have issued a joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing that humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or military tactic.
  • Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza for over two months, with the World Food Programme warning of severe food shortages and the International Crisis Group (IPC) reporting that Gaza's entire population is at critical risk of famine.
  • The joint statement demands that Israel lift the blockade of aid and enable the UN and other humanitarians to save lives, ensuring safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid.
  • The statement also calls for the investigation of incidents involving aid workers and the protection of humanitarian aid workers and UN premises.
  • At least 418 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, with the statement urging Israel to reinstate an effective deconfliction system.
  • The joint statement emphasizes the need for an immediate return to a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and urgent efforts to achieve a two-state solution.

Statistics:

  • Over 18 months of Hamas holding hostages in Gaza.
  • At least 418 aid workers killed in Gaza since the conflict began.
  • Two months of Israel blocking aid from entering Gaza.
  • Gaza's entire population at critical risk of famine, according to the International Crisis Group (IPC).

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE-May 14, 2023-: Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or military tactic: Joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza (C)1994-2025 M2 COMMUNICATIONS RDATE:13052025 Speech
  • World Food Programme report on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
  • International Crisis Group (IPC) report warning of Gaza's critical risk of famine.
  • UN report on the protection of humanitarian aid workers and UN premises.