Earlier this week, the United Nations World Food Programme issued a stark warning that 470,000 people in Gaza are facing “catastrophic hunger” due to Israel blocking humanitarian aid since March 2. The agency reported that over 116,000 metric tons of food assistance are currently being withheld.
While Israel has yet to directly respond to recent criticism from world leaders, it has defended its actions by citing security concerns. Officials argue that new aid delivery routes are necessary to ensure that supplies do not fall into the hands of Hamas, which they claim has previously seized and resold humanitarian aid.
As part of this approach, Israel has reportedly begun building new aid distribution centers under military supervision. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, in a statement, said the new U.S.-supported mechanism is designed to prevent aid from benefiting Hamas: “Hamas must not benefit from it anymore!” he declared.
On Friday, leaders from seven European countries — Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland, Micheál Martin of Ireland, Luc Frieden of Luxembourg, Robert Abela of Malta, Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, Robert Golob of Slovenia, and Pedro Sánchez of Spain — voiced strong opposition to what they described as Israel’s apparent effort to forcibly displace Palestinians from both Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
The joint statement highlighted concerns over “increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and intensified Israeli military operations.” The leaders condemned any attempt to alter the region’s demographics, saying, “Forced displacement or the expulsion of the Palestinian people, by any means, is unacceptable and would constitute a breach of international law. We reject any such plans or attempts at demographic change. We must assume the responsibility to stop this devastation.”
Last year, Ireland, Norway, and Spain moved independently to recognize Palestinian statehood, prompting a sharp diplomatic response from Israel. In retaliation, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin and expelled several Norwegian diplomats.
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