European Union: Ceasefire In Krucial Gaza Amid Starvation Threats

DOC UNRWA via news.un.org

JAKARTA - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip when the Palestinian enclave is threatened with starvation.

He said conditions in Gaza at this time were "unacceptable", so the ceasefire was essential so that the hostages could be released and humanitarian aid could enter there.

"Hopefully the United States, Qatar, and Egypt-led talks will bring positive results," he said in a joint statement with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Brussels.

The European Union is "very concerned" about the risks posed by the planned land attack in Rafah City against civilians seeking refuge there, von der Leyen said.

Military operations should be avoided "by any means", he said.

In early March, UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said that all Gazans were facing the threat of starvation and nearly all of them were forced to drink polluted water.

Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the time said that 10 children had died from starvation at Kamal Adwan Children's Hospital in northern Gaza.

Israel has prepared a massive operation in Rafah, which the Israeli military says is home to a number of remaining Hamas troops.

The United Nations and many countries have expressed their opposition to Israel's plans because currently more than 1 million Palestinians are taking refuge there.