Milan, 15 Nov. (LaPresse) – Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani today issued a public appeal to the Israeli authorities regarding the situation in Gaza by signing a statement alongside the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The text of the statement follows. “We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom, agree that, with the onset of winter in Gaza, the humanitarian situation on the ground is dire. The recent floods have caused further suffering, and this was merely the first storm of the winter season. The people of Gaza are in desperate need of shelter and humanitarian aid. Yet 150,000 tents and other essential supplies are being held up at the border and prevented from entering Gaza. This situation is entirely reversible, and there is still time to act before winter is in full swing. We therefore urge the Israeli Government today to put an immediate end to the delays and to allow immediate, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Gaza. The border crossings must be opened and the tents must be allowed to enter. Dual-use goods necessary for humanitarian operations and for rapid recovery must also be allowed to enter before it is too late. All parties must also implement the Gaza Peace Plan, by respecting the ceasefire and their obligations under international humanitarian law, and by allowing aid to reach those in need.”
Middle East: Appeal from Italy, Australia, Canada and the UK: “Israel must grant humanitarian access to Gaza”
Milan, 15 Nov. (LaPresse) – Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani today issued a public appeal to the Israeli authorities regarding the situation in Gaza by signing a statement alongside the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The text of the statement follows. “We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom, agree that, with the onset of winter in Gaza, the humanitarian situation on the ground is dire. The recent floods have caused further suffering, and this was merely the first storm of the winter season. The people of Gaza are in desperate need of shelter and humanitarian aid. Yet 150,000 tents and other essential supplies are being held up at the border and prevented from entering Gaza. This situation is entirely reversible, and there is still time to act before winter is in full swing. We therefore urge the Israeli Government today to put an immediate end to the delays and to allow immediate, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Gaza. The border crossings must be opened and the tents must be allowed to enter. Dual-use goods necessary for humanitarian operations and for rapid recovery must also be allowed to enter before it is too late. All parties must also implement the Gaza Peace Plan, by respecting the ceasefire and their obligations under international humanitarian law, and by allowing aid to reach those in need.”