Foreign ministers from ten nations – Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. – issued a joint warning Tuesday regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The ministers described conditions in the area as “catastrophic” and linked the worsening crisis to existing restrictions.
Worsening Conditions and Urgent Needs
The statement highlighted the particularly dire circumstances created by the onset of winter, with 1.3 million Gazans currently requiring urgent shelter assistance. This assessment was supported by reference to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, published in December.
While acknowledging the recent cease-fire, the foreign ministers emphasized their continued focus on the needs of Gaza’s civilian population. They called on Israel to ensure unimpeded access for the United Nations, its partner organizations, and NGOs, and to remove restrictions on imports deemed to have “dual use.”
Threats to Aid Operations
The statement expressed concern that numerous established international NGO partners face potential deregistration due to new, restrictive requirements imposed by Israel. Deregistration, the ministers warned, could force the closure of humanitarian operations in both Gaza and the West Bank within 60 days, severely impacting access to essential services, including healthcare.
The importance of continued UN operations, including the work of UNRWA providing healthcare and education to millions of Palestinian refugees, was specifically underlined. The ministers urged Israel to open crossings and significantly increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The statement called for aid deliveries to exceed a target of 4,200 trucks per week, including 250 UN trucks daily, characterizing these figures as a minimum. It also noted that ongoing restrictions hinder both aid delivery and reconstruction efforts, violating international humanitarian law. The ministers urged the Israeli government to remove these constraints and to pursue the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.”
Despite the cease-fire, crossings into Gaza remain largely closed, preventing the entry of essential supplies like mobile homes and reconstruction materials. Since the cease-fire agreement on October 10th, at least 414 people in Gaza have been killed, according to Palestinian officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current state of humanitarian access to Gaza?
Despite the cease-fire, Gaza’s crossings remain largely closed, limiting the entry of essential supplies and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Which organizations are at risk of being forced to close their operations?
Many established international NGO partners are at risk of deregistration due to new, restrictive requirements imposed by Israel, potentially leading to the closure of humanitarian operations within 60 days.
What specific aid targets were outlined in the statement?
The statement called for a minimum of 4,200 trucks per week, including 250 UN trucks per day, to enter Gaza, stating that these targets should be considered a “floor not a ceiling.”
How might the ongoing restrictions impact the long-term recovery of Gaza?
