Five European countries call for Israel to reverse decision to occupy Gaza Strip

These five European countries, which requested Sunday’s meeting of the UN Security Council, said in a joint statement — read out to reporters by Slovenia’s ambassador to the UN — that they condemn Israel’s plan to capture Gaza City, as it “carries the risk of violating international humanitarian law” and “only endangers the lives of all civilians in Gaza.”

Reading the joint statement, the Slovenian ambassador said: “We call on Israel to immediately reverse this decision and refrain from implementing it.”

The five countries stated that Israel’s decision will not help secure the return of the remaining hostages in Gaza and will, in fact, put their lives at risk.

They also described the current hunger in Gaza as “a man-made crisis” and stressed that “urgent action is needed to halt the starvation and increase aid to Gaza.”

They emphasized: “We have a clear message for Israel: lift the restrictions on the delivery of aid so that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners on the ground can operate on a large scale and with ease, in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, and independence.”