22 countries demand Israel allow ‘full resumption’ of Gaza aid

Twenty-two countries, including Australia, Britain, France and Germany, on Monday demanded that Israel immediately “allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza” after the partial lifting of its blockade on the territory.

The foreign ministers of the key donor countries, who also included Japan and New Zealand, said “whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months”.

The statement said “food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted” and that “the population faces starvation”.

“Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need,” it added.

The donors’ statement also sharply rejected a reported Israeli plan to replace the previous system of aid distribution in Gaza, which Israeli officials have accused of having ties to Hamas.