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Dublin, August 13, 2025 β In a powerful show of international solidarity, 29 governments and senior EU officials have issued a joint statement calling for urgent and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, where famine and suffering have reached catastrophic levels.
The statement, coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, highlights the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip and warns that restrictive new registration requirements imposed by Israeli authorities could force essential international NGOs to withdraw from the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), further exacerbating the crisis.
βFamine is unfolding before our eyes. Urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation. Humanitarian space must be protected, and aid should never be politicised,β the statement reads.
π¨ Call for Immediate Action
The signatories call on the Government of Israel to:
- Authorize all international NGO aid shipments
- Remove operational barriers for humanitarian actors
- Facilitate safe, large-scale access for the UN, NGOs, and aid partners
- Open all crossings and routes to allow a surge of aid into Gaza, including food, shelter, fuel, clean water, and medical supplies
- Refrain from using lethal force at aid distribution sites
- Ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel
π€ Support for Ceasefire and Peace Efforts
The statement expresses gratitude to the United States, Qatar, and Egypt for their diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire and facilitate peace negotiations. It emphasizes the need for:
- A ceasefire that ends hostilities
- The release of hostages
- Unhindered land-based delivery of humanitarian aid
βοΈ Signatories
The statement has been signed by the Foreign Ministers of: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Also endorsing the statement are:
- The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
- The Vice-President of the European Commission
- The EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean
- The EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
π’ A Unified Appeal
This joint declaration underscores the urgency of coordinated international action to prevent further loss of life and to uphold humanitarian principles in Gaza. The signatories reaffirm their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring that aid reaches those most in need without delay or obstruction.
