“Immediate actions are needed to stop and reverse the effects of hunger; humanitarian actions must be protected, and help should never be politicized” – written in a statement. It was pointed out that some international non -governmental organizations may soon be forced to leave the occupied Palestinian territories due to the restrictive registration regulations introduced by Israel.
“This can even worsen the humanitarian situation even more,” the letter signatories warned, calling for “immediate and specific actions” in order to provide organizations with safe and wide access to Palestinian areas.
Foreign ministers signed the document, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Great Britain, as well Dubravka Szuuca and Hadja Lahbib.
In recent weeks, the international criticism of Israel's activities in civilians in the Gaza Strip has intensified. The region is destroyed and the humanitarian crisis is constantly deepening.
Israel refutes the allegations of causing hunger, claiming that Hamas takes over the humanitarian aid and the UN cannot cope with its distribution. The Israeli authorities announce further actions to increase deliveries, but at the beginning of March they have tightened the registration regulations for assistance organizations. Now they must provide detailed data about employees, and the lack of meeting requirements may refuse to issue permits. Some entities have not received them anymore.
