Germany urges Israel to restore humanitarian aid flow to Gaza

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Monday strongly criticized Israel over its decision to block the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and called on Tel Aviv to reverse this decision and take steps in line with its international obligations.

“We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on all humanitarian aid to Gaza,” German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer told a press conference in Berlin, stressing that hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians are suffering under catastrophic conditions.

“Granting or denying humanitarian access is not a legitimate means of exerting pressure in negotiations,” the spokesman stressed. “Rather, the International Court of Justice has determined that Israel must comply with its obligations under international law by ensuring the unhindered delivery of urgently needed basic supplies and humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip.”

The Israeli government halted the entry of all goods and humanitarian supplies into Gaza early Sunday when the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement expired. Instead of proceeding to the second phase, which requires its withdrawal from Gaza, Israel demanded that Hamas accept new conditions and release half of the hostages on the first day and the rest when an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire.