All options will remain on the table if Israel fails to fulfil its commitments to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the European Union’s (EU) top diplomat said on Tuesday, emphasising that the situation remains critical and that the international community expects concrete action, not just promises.
“The killing of civilians seeking aid in Gaza is indefensible,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote in a post on X, adding that she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar “to recall our understanding on aid flow and made clear that IDF must stop killing people at distribution points.”
EU’s Threat
Earlier this month, Kallas said Israel had agreed to expand humanitarian access to Gaza, including increasing the number of aid trucks, crossing points and routes to distribution hubs.
“All options remain on the table if Israel doesn’t deliver on its pledges,” Kallas said.
On Monday, nearly two dozen Western countries jointly urged Israel to bring an immediate end to its ongoing war in Gaza. They strongly criticised what they described as the “inhumane killing” of Palestinians, expressing deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation.
The governments said it was “horrifying” that more than 800 civilians, including women and children, had lost their lives while trying to access aid, calling such incidents unacceptable and in violation of international humanitarian principles. The statement added that urgent steps must be taken to protect innocent lives and ensure unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
‘Disconnected From Reality’
Israel’s foreign ministry called Monday’s statement “disconnected from reality” and said it would send the wrong message to Hamas.
Gaza health officials have said more than 59,000 Palestinians have died during the 21-month conflict in Gaza.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
(With inputs from Reuters)
