Australia, Canada, Italy and the UK urge Israel to allow aid into Gaza

Detailed summary

The countries accuse Israel of preventing tents and other supplies from entering Gaza, despite the humanitarian crisis.

Gaza floods leave 350,000 affected as UN humanitarian chief demands aid access

Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom have ⁠⁠⁠⁠urged Israel to allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza, highlighting that recent floods have “brought further suffering” for Palestinians living there.

The countries’ foreign ministers co-signed Sunday’s joint statement, the latest international warning about the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged territory.

“People in Gaza desperately need shelter and humanitarian assistance,” the statement said. “Yet 150,000 tents and other vital supplies are being held at the border and prevented from entering Gaza.”

For years, Israel has restricted entry and exports into Gaza, home to more than 2 million people.

But since the start of its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Israel has placed the Palestinian territory under a full-scale blockade, limiting access to even essential supplies like food and water.

Under the Geneva Convention, denying civilians access to humanitarian aid can constitute a war crime.

“We today urge the Government of Israel to stop the delays now and allow immediate, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza,” Sunday’s statement said.

Heavy rain this month swept away tens of thousands of tents in the territory, leaving many without shelter.

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