Four Governments Urge Israel to Let Winter Aid Into Gaza
The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom have urged Israel to allow critical humanitarian aid into Gaza, according to a joint statement released on Monday morning. The Guardian reported the statement, which describes conditions in the territory as "dire" as winter takes hold.
The statement calls on Israel to allow in 150,000 tents and other vital supplies that are being held at the border, ahead of the colder months. It says Israel still has time to act before winter fully sets in.
Storms have already added to the strain on people living in the enclave. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were left in waterlogged and damaged tents after storms in the past week, and thousands more have no shelter at all. Heavy rain and wind battered the fragile tents, killing at least four Palestinian children and a woman. The statement says recent floods brought further suffering and that this was only the first storm of the winter.
The four governments say the situation is "entirely reversible" and urge Israel to stop delays and allow immediate, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza. Crossings must be opened, tents admitted, and dual-use items, meaning goods that can serve both civilian and military purposes, needed for humanitarian work and early recovery must be granted entry. The statement says this must happen before it is too late.
The ministers also urge all parties to implement the comprehensive plan for Gaza, to respect the ceasefire, a halt to fighting, and to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law, the body of rules that protects civilians and aid in wartime.
Australian cabinet minister Madeleine King said the four countries had worked on the statement to ensure people affected by the war can receive assistance.
