European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday urged Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza and allow "immediate, safe and unimpeded" humanitarian access, following a phone call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, reported Xinhua.
In his post on social media platform X, Costa said he had conveyed "grave concerns" regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalating violence in the West Bank.
He voiced full support for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's five-stage aid plan for Gaza, which covers inspection and scanning of relief supplies at crossings, transport to humanitarian facilities, onward distribution and delivery to those in need.
"Israel must lift its blockade and allow immediate, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and assistance, in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles," Costa wrote.
He also insisted that the remaining hostages must be released immediately.
Israel has escalated its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. At least 33 Palestinians, including 18 children and six women, were killed and dozens of others injured in an Israeli airstrike early Monday morning targeting the Fahmi Al-Jarjawi school sheltering displaced families, according to Gaza's Civil Defense.
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- Genocide
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Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
