Germany calls on Israel to open more land crossings for Gaza aid

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Israel on Friday to open more land crossings and allow delivery of more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, at the end of a two-day EU summit, Scholz said European countries are seriously concerned about the deteriorating situation in Gaza.

“It is good that there is now the opportunity for air drops, Germany is also participating with its airplanes, it is good that there are now sea routes to bring aid to Gaza, but taken together these are not enough,” he said.

The German chancellor underlined that the European countries support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, but also said they are expecting from Tel-Aviv to open more border crossings, and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“What is needed is delivery by trucks, and not like 200 trucks as happens to be today, but more in the direction of 500, and more. This must be ensured by opening up more border crossings, we have to do what is necessary to achieve this goal,” he said.

Scholz also voiced concern over a possible Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinian civilians are currently sheltering.

“We have great concerns about a possible major military offensive in Rafah,” Scholz said, and once again reminded Israeli government of its obligations under international law.

“We have clear views on how warfare can take place, casualties among civilian population must be avoided, humanitarian access to Gaza should be secured,” he stressed.

The Social Democrat politician renewed his call for a longer-lasting Gaza cease-fire to facilitate the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed.

Nearly 32,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, and more than 74,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.