EU says establishing cease-fire urgent in Gaza amid 'full-blown famine' in north

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The EU foreign policy chief on Monday underlined the need for an urgent cease-fire in Gaza as there is "full-blown famine" in the north of Gaza.

"The much feared scenario has come true: according to World Food Program chief Cindy McCain, there’s full-blown famine in the north of Gaza, moving to the south," Josep Borrell said on X.

"The so far unheard demands by the international community must be listened to: UNSCR 2728 must be implemented fully and immediately," Borrel urged. "A ceasefire is urgent, to get to the liberation of the hostages and bring relief to those starving."

He also condemned Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s barrage of rockets fired towards Kerem Shalom area.

"Israel still has an overall obligation to grant full, safe, rapid and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale for those in need," he said, commending the "irreplaceable work" done by UNRWA and other UN agencies.

The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas incursion that claimed 1,200 lives and took 250 as hostages. The subsequent Israeli onslaught has killed nearly 34,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, besides causing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Israel also stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians there.

The Israeli military has asked people to evacuate from eastern Rafah, ahead of an expected offensive in the southern Gaza city where more than 1.4 million people are sheltering.