“Global Criticism Intensifies Against ‘israel’ Amid Escalating Gaza Tensions”

On March 18, the Israeli authorities ended a 42-day ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas, resuming their intense attacks on Gaza. The region has been experiencing significant bombardment and ground operations by Israeli forces since October 2023.

In a move that has heightened tensions and drawn widespread international condemnation, Israel has maintained a nearly two-month blockade on humanitarian aid entering the territory. This restriction has severely impacted the two million residents, with children being particularly vulnerable, as they continue to face daily struggles against starvation.

Amid escalating tensions in Gaza, leaders from the United Kingdom and the European Union on Monday called upon Israel to permit the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid into the beleaguered region. As violence continues to claim lives daily, officials condemned the prevailing conditions as “unacceptable” and “intolerable,” urging for swift action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the conflict-ridden area.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the gravity of the situation in Gaza, describing it as serious, unacceptable, and intolerable. He highlighted ongoing efforts to collaborate with other global leaders to address the crisis and reiterated the commitment to continue working towards a solution.

He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid to be delivered promptly to civilians in distress and called for the immediate lifting of the Gaza blockade, underscoring that humanitarian assistance should remain apolitical.

During a joint press conference in London, Starmer delivered remarks following discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Addressing the ongoing crisis in Gaza, von der Leyen emphasized the dire humanitarian conditions, stating that no aid has reached the region for the past two months. Urging immediate action, she called for humanitarian supplies to be delivered to those in need and advocated for lifting the blockade, emphasizing that aid should not be used as a political tool. Furthermore, she urged a resumption of the ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages, aiming for a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Costa condemned the humanitarian situation in Gaza, characterizing it as “unacceptable” and “tragic,” while emphasizing that “Israel must cease immediately.”

He characterized Gaza as a region where “systematic violations of international law” are occurring and criticized the use of “disproportionate military force” against its entire population.

The head of the European Council emphasized the urgent need for secure, rapid, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid, along with the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. Additionally, the leader urged the immediate establishment of a permanent ceasefire. The discussions underscored a mutual belief that enduring peace and security in the Middle East can only be attained through the realization of a two-state solution.

In recent developments, Israel announced on Sunday its decision to permit a “basic” level of aid into Gaza. This move aims to avert the onset of a “hunger crisis” in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday his decision to reinstate restricted aid to Gaza, a move influenced by pressure from his allies on Tel Aviv. They argued that continued support for Israel’s military campaign would be unsustainable if “images of hunger” from the Palestinian territory persisted.

The United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and multiple European allies have criticized Tel Aviv for obstructing the delivery of crucial supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, into the conflict-ridden region.

On Monday, China declared its backing for an immediate and enduring ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need to halt the persistent humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian region.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called for an immediate and enduring ceasefire, urging significant relief efforts for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Spokeswoman Mao Ning underscored that Gaza is an inalienable part of Palestinian territory, asserting its rightful place with the Palestinian people, during a routine press briefing in Beijing.

China issued a response following Netanyahu’s contentious remarks about intentions to “take control of all” of the Gaza Strip. This development coincides with reports indicating that the Trump administration is allegedly devising a plan to permanently relocate up to one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya.

China has reiterated its unwavering support for the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the critical importance of the principle that Palestinians should govern Palestine in the post-conflict administration of Gaza. The nation has expressed strong opposition to any forced displacement of Gaza’s residents. Beijing has indicated its readiness to collaborate with the international community to encourage a swift de-escalation of the situation in Gaza and is committed to tirelessly pursuing a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution, according to remarks made by Mao.

On Monday, Australian Senator Mehreen Faruqi, representing the Greens Party, criticized the government’s lack of response to what she described as Israel’s genocidal conflict and blockade on Gaza. She argued that Australia should have joined the UK, Canada, and France in their statement threatening sanctions against the occupying power.

In a statement shared on Instagram, she urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to align with allied nations, emphasizing that simply calling on Tel Aviv to permit aid without accompanying it with tangible measures is ineffective.

Food experts have raised alarms that the blockade may lead to a famine crisis in Gaza.