On July 21, 25 Western nations issued a call for an immediate end to the Gaza conflict, citing unprecedented levels of suffering and a looming famine threatening civilians. This statement came as Israel expanded its military operations to include the devastated city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip.
The joint declaration, led by the UK, France, Italy, Canada, and Australia, follows 21 months of ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which have resulted in dire humanitarian conditions for the over two million residents of the region. Reports indicate widespread hunger and malnourishment, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The countries urged all parties and the international community to unite in a collaborative effort to halt the “terrible conflict” through an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire. They expressed alarm over reports that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking assistance, labeling the Israeli government’s refusal to provide basic humanitarian support as unacceptable.
Daily reports from Gaza detail casualties from Israeli fire as individuals wait for aid, as confirmed by civil defense sources and witnesses. The United Nations has reported that approximately 800 people have died in these circumstances since late May.
The violence has been concentrated near facilities operated by “The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” which is supported by Israel and the United States, yet is viewed with skepticism by the UN and international organizations due to concerns over neutrality and funding sources.
Severe Food Shortages in Gaza
Gaza’s residents are facing a severe shortage of food and essential supplies. Medical entities, as well as the humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières, have noted a significant rise in malnutrition cases in recent days.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported receiving “desperate messages of hunger,” including from its own staff in Gaza. It indicated that supply shortages have caused food prices to skyrocket by 40 times, while the aid stored outside Gaza could feed the entire population for more than three months.
UNRWA stated, “The suffering in Gaza is man-made and must end. Lift the blockade and allow aid to enter safely and on a large scale.”
This international plea follows a night of intense artillery shelling in Deir al-Balah, according to Gaza’s civil defense and eyewitness accounts, coinciding with an Israeli army warning for residents to evacuate.
