Statement by the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, on the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, has issued the following statement:

“Today, I represented the European Commission at the Gaza Humanitarian Summit “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” in Amman, conveying the firm imperative to end the suffering of people in Gaza.

The vast majority of the population of the Gaza strip is fully dependent on humanitarian aid.

Despite all the efforts of humanitarian actors over the past eight months, often at great risk to themselves, the amount of aid allowed into Gaza has fallen to unacceptably low levels.

A ceasefire is desperately needed to deliver life-saving aid to those in need and to secure the release of the hostages. The vital work of the United Nations agency staff, which has been under attack in this crisis as rarely before in history, needs to be protected and facilitated.

Today's Conference offered a timely platform for reflection and dialogue within the international community, sharing the following priorities: ensure full access for humanitarian assistance into Gaza commensurate to the population's needs; protect civilians; and identify Early Recovery priorities.

The humanitarian situation and severe food insecurity are likely to deteriorate further, at a time when rising temperatures are aggravating the health and sanitation crisis inside Gaza owing to damaged sewage and waste treatment systems, making living conditions even worse.

Aid is piling up at Gaza's borders when children are dying of hunger just a few kilometers away. We can and we must stop this catastrophe.

The crucial Rafah crossing point must be re-opened, and Kerem Shalom, crossing points in the North of Gaza as well as the Jordan corridor and any other available option for access must be used to the fullest possible extent.

Ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel assisting the most vulnerable is also crucial. As I stressed to our Jordanian partners, the EU stands ready to further step up its support for the Jordan corridor as a vital route for channelling assistance to Gaza.

The EU calls on Israel and all parties involved to abide by International Humanitarian Law to avoid further bloodshed among innocent civilians. The time for action is now.”