European Union Urges Israel To Open Sharom Brake Border For Gaza's Humanitarian Aid

The Shamol brake, Israel's border gate with Egypt and Gaza, which has often been closed since the conflict with Hamas. (Anadolu Ajansi)

JAKARTA - The European Union has condemned the restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza imposed by Israel, the bloc's head of foreign policy Josep Borrell said on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

In a statement, Borrell reminded Israel's latest attack on civilians in the trapped enclave region, calling it "irredible."

Israeli forces on Thursday opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians awaiting humanitarian aid in Gaza, leaving 112 people dead and another 760 injured.

"We ask for an international, impartial investigation into this tragedy, giving a clear picture of the incident and its responsibility," he said, while urging Israel to comply with international law rules and protect the distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians.

He said non-relieved fighting and neglect of international humanitarian law would lead to a "total chaos" that made the distribution of humanitarian aid impossible.

"The responsibility for this incident rests on the restrictions imposed by the Israeli military and the obstacles made by violent extremists against the supply of humanitarian aid," Borrell added.

He urged Israel to "full cooperation" with UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations involved in humanitarian response and to enable free, unobstructed and secure humanitarian access through all border points. "We condemn the restrictions imposed by Israel on the entry of humanitarian aid and the opening of crossing points," Borrell said.

Borrell also said that the EU urged Israel to immediately remove barriers at the Kerem SALom crossing, and open access to the north. at the Karni and Emez crossings, and to open Ashdod ports for humanitarian aid and allow humanitarian corridors directly from Jordan.