LUXEMBOURG, April 14, 2025 (WAFA) - EU Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, said that Israel's blocking of humanitarian aid into Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis in the Strip, while aid is piling up outside and food is rotting.

This came in a statement on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, on Monday, ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Lahbib indicated that there are three urgent priorities in Gaza, where Israel continues its genocide: resuming the ceasefire and facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid. She emphasized that Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to the blocking of aid.

She continued: "For more than a month, no aid, no food, no electricity, not even a single morsel of bread has arrived."

Lahbib added: "While warehouses outside Gaza are full of food, food is running out in Gaza and rotting outside because we cannot access the area. At least 100 children are killed or injured every day."

She noted that Israel has not approved humanitarian aid missions wishing to operate in the region for some time, and that there are no longer any international staff in Gaza and the West Bank.

Lahabi emphasized that the situation in the occupied West Bank is also deteriorating, saying, "Forced displacement and violence have become the norm. This is why we need decisive political action."

She noted that the first meeting of the high-level political dialogue between the European Union and Palestine will be held, with the participation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, following the foreign ministers' meeting.

Lahabi said that the participants in the meeting will discuss opportunities for cooperation, bilateral relations, and meeting the needs of the Palestinian people.

K.T