CNN
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Foreign ministers of 25 Western countries have denounced Israel for “drip feeding” aid to the Gaza Strip after the territorial health ministry said more than 1,000 people have been killed since late May in sought humanitarian relief.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health did not designate a place for death, but according to the United Nations, most of the victims occurred while building a way to support distribution sites run by the controversial Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began operating on May 27th.
Palestinian officials and witnesses say the Israeli military is responsible for most of these deaths.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has admitted to shooting warning shots on crowds in some cases, denied liability for other incidents. In late June, the military said it had “reorganized” approach routes to support the site to minimize “friction with the population,” but the killings continue.
In a statement Monday, the Western Foreign Minister said “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.”
“The Israeli government’s model of aid delivery is dangerous, promotes instability and deprives Gazan of human dignity. We condemn the intravenous feeding of aid and the inhuman killing of civilians, including children.
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According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 99 people have been killed and at least 650 have been injured while trying to receive assistance in the last 24 hours.
The ministry added that a total of 1,021 people have been killed, 6,511 have been injured in search of supplies, and that the total death toll since the start of the war is now 59,029 years old.
Between March 2 and May 21, Israel imposed an 11-week lockdown of aid to the Gaza Strip, and UN agencies subsequently issued warnings about increased levels of territorial hunger and malnutrition.
Aid organizations are still restricted from entering the enclaves, and Israel claims it is doing this to prevent Hamas from stealing supplies.
The Foreign Minister said it was “terrifying” that so many Palestinians were killed while seeking assistance.
“The Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to civilians is unacceptable. Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law,” they said.
They urged the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on aid in Gaza and allow humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations, to do their work “safely and effectively.”
In a post on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it called the statement released by 25 countries “separated from reality” and added that it would “send the wrong message to Hamas.”
“The statement fails to focus on pressure on Hamas and to recognize Hamas’ role and responsibility for the situation. Hamas is responsible for the continued war and the suffering of both parties,” the Israeli statement said.
Western criticism of Israel comes amidst the tensions of Hamas leaders in Gaza to respond to the latest ceasefire and hostage release proposals.
Last week after successfully pressing Israel to oppose withdrawing its troops from Gaza’s southern corridor, the US has lost patience in Hamas, and the group must quickly provide answers to the latest framework for ceasefires and hostage release deals. The mediator submitted the proposal to Hamas almost a week ago.
Hamas Qatar-based leader Khalil al-Hayyah has personally shown he is supporting the latest framework, sources said, but he is awaiting approval of Hamas’ leadership within Gaza.
Hamas spokesman Bassom Naim said Haya supports the latest proposal and said he was holding “internal consultations” before Hamas responded.
The United States has assured Israel would negotiate an end to the war during the proposed 60-day ceasefire. One source said that if Hamas does not immediately agree to the deal, the US could withdraw those guarantees.
Both sources said the US, Qatar and Egypt are currently putting great pressure on Hamas to sign a contract.
“We don’t have time,” one source noted the high daily death toll in Gaza, pointing to the worsening humanitarian situation.
The pressure and frustration are now focused on Hamas, but those involved in the consultation said that Israel’s previous progress towards the transaction has surpassed Israel’s incompromise, particularly the withdrawal map.
If Gaza Hamas leaders agree to the latest framework, several officials involved in the consultations said this week could reach a deal this week.
One official with knowledge of negotiations said the mediator was increasingly optimistic after several major fixed points were resolved in the agreement last week.
The development of the remaining gap comes after President Donald Trump met Qatar’s Prime Minister in Washington last week. This believed that the remaining people were rushing to a map depicting the process of resolving those who were left: the withdrawal of Israeli forces and negotiations for a permanent end during the 60-day suspension.
