Sweden Summons Israel's Ambassador, Protests On At Least Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza

Gaza/DOK UNRWA Condition

JAKARTA - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the Swedish Foreign Ministry would summon Israeli ambassadors in Stockholm to protest the lack of humanitarian assistance for citizens in Gaza.

Last week, under increasing international pressure, Israeli authorities allowed little help into the area.

But a few hundred trucks carry only a fraction of the food needed by a population of 2 million people who are at risk of starvation after nearly three months of being blockaded.

Kristersson told Swedish news agency TT that the European Union should impose sanctions and put diplomatic pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

"We have been very clear about it, both alone and together with many other European countries," Kristersson told TT.

"The pressure is now increasing, no doubt, and for very good reasons," he said.

The Swedish prime minister's office confirmed to Reuters that Kristersson had made the statement.

Israel launched air and land warfare in Gaza after a cross-border attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people according to Israeli tally and causing 251 hostages to be kidnapped into Gaza.

According to Gaza health authorities, Israeli operations have killed more than 53,900 Palestinians and destroyed the coastal line.

The aid group said signs of severe malnutrition were widespread.