More than 20 Nations Express Deep Concern over Gaza Situation

Portugal, alongside 20 other countries and the European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, signed a joint statement on Tuesday expressing ‘deep concern’ over the ‘extremely severe 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 quantity and quality, while nearly the entire population depends on life-saving services.’ The statement called on Israel ‘to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law’ and stated that all internationally recognised humanitarian organisations ‘must be able to carry out their essential work without hindrance.’ ‘Israel has an obligation to ensure and facilitate, without delay, the safe, rapid, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population, and to refrain from any actions that could obstruct the delivery of such aid in any way,’ the statement read. Furthermore, the statement revealed that the recent ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court upholding the registration law ‘will greatly affect and restrict the ability of international non-governmental organisations to operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.’ ‘We firmly call on Israel not to implement the registration law in its current form,’ the statement continued.