Gaza Humanitarian Crisis: Israel's Response Sparks International Backlash
The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have criticised Israel for what they deem as inadequate measures to provide humanitarian aid and protect civilian lives in Gaza, as reported by Reuters.
Amid mounting international pressure, Israel has announced plans to temporarily open two additional crossing points - the Erez land crossing and the Ashdod port. However, EU's chief for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, has remarked that these openings "are not sufficient to prevent famine in Gaza."
"I sincerely hope that these intentions will be efficiently and swiftly realised," the official stated on the X platform.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government face increasing pressure domestically, with large-scale protests demanding his resignation.
Israel has been politically divided prior to the October attacks, with months of widespread protests against Netanyahu's right-wing government and particularly against the prime minister's proposed judicial overhaul.
However, despite these political divisions, the majority of Israelis support the Gaza war, despite international protests regarding its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians.
The conflict began immediately after the deadly terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7. At that time, the Israeli government stated that the operation had two objectives: eliminating Hamas and bringing back hostages taken by militants in Gaza.
Six months into the conflict, experts argue that neither objective has been achieved.
While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim to have killed thousands of Hamas fighters, most of the group's top leaders in Gaza remain in power. Over 100 hostages have been released, exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas at the end of November. However, around 130 hostages, including 99 believed to still be alive, remain in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the toll of the war on Palestinians is much harsher: over 33,000 people, including children, have been killed. Additionally, approximately 75,000 have been injured, and over a million are on the brink of famine, facing what international organisations describe as an "imminent" famine.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
