The United States, Cyprus, the UAE, the UK, Qatar, and the European Union issued a joint statement, emphasizing the irreplaceability of land routes through Egypt and Jordan, as well as entry points from Israel to Gaza, for large-scale aid delivery. The statement, published by the U.S. Department of State in the context of ministerial consultations to establish a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid to Gaza, welcomed the idea of opening the Port of Ashdod to humanitarian aid as a significant complement to the maritime corridor currently under development.
High-ranking officials will discuss the possibility of creating a joint fund to support the maritime corridor for delivering aid to Gaza and coordinating in-kind and financial contributions to sustain it. The ministers affirmed that the maritime corridor should be part of ongoing efforts to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods to Gaza through all possible means, including enhancing land routes and continuing airdrop operations. The statement also stressed the necessity for Israel to open additional crossings to deliver more aid to Gaza, including the northern part of the territory.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire due to ongoing conflict and blockades. Hospitals are facing catastrophic shortages of medical supplies, and many are running on backup generators with fuel supplies dwindling. This has placed thousands of patients, including those with critical conditions like kidney disease and cancer, at immediate risk. The power outages also threaten the lives of newborns in incubators. The shortage extends to essential items such as blood and medicines, with some hospitals reporting an influx of patients every minute. The blockade has also led to a severe shortage of body bags, with some deceased being stored in ice-cream trucks. Moreover, approximately 50,000 pregnant women are unable to access healthcare facilities due to the bombing of several hospitals.
On a broader scale, over 1.5 million Gazans have been displaced, with 41,000 houses destroyed or severely damaged. The death toll has reportedly exceeded 11,000, most of whom are women and children, although the actual numbers might be higher due to communication network collapses. Food and water supplies are critically low, especially in the northern parts of Gaza, exacerbating the already critical humanitarian crisis.
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution emphasizing the need for humanitarian access and the delivery of essential supplies like food, water, medical services, and electricity to Gaza’s civilian population. The resolution demands compliance with international humanitarian law by all parties involved in the conflict and calls for the immediate and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout Gaza. It also stresses the importance of respecting and protecting border crossings and maritime infrastructure used for delivering humanitarian assistance.