More than 20 Nations Express Deep Concern over Gaza Situation

Lisbon (ANTARA) - Portugal, together with 20 other nations and the European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, signed a joint statement on Tuesday (9/6) expressing “deep concern” over the “extremely dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza.

The joint statement, coordinated by the Netherlands and shared by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media, noted that humanitarian aid entering Gaza “remains highly inadequate, both in terms of quantity and quality, while almost the entire population relies on life-saving services.”

The statement calls on Israel “to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law” and asserts that all internationally recognised humanitarian organisations “must be able to carry out their vital work without hindrance.”

“Israel is obliged to ensure and facilitate, without delay, the safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population, and to refrain from any actions that may impede the delivery of such aid in any way,” the statement elaborated.

Furthermore, the statement expressed that the recent ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court upholding the registration law “will significantly affect and limit the ability of international non-governmental organisations to operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”

“We strongly call upon Israel not to implement the registration law in its current form,” the statement continued.