The Council of the European Union calls for the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza

The Council of the European Union called for respect for international law and the opening of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of the population to Egypt. This was stated by the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, following an emergency council meeting in Oman.

“Participants condemned any attack against the population, called for the release of hostages, for respect for international law and humanitarian law, for the opening of humanitarian corridors and for people to be able to leave for Egypt,” clarified Borrell (quote from TASS).

Borrell stressed that it is necessary to increase humanitarian assistance to all those affected by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

October 9 Israeli Ministry of Defense announced about a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government had decided to cut off supplies of electricity, fuel and goods to Gaza. By doing so, the country would deprive these groups of “the ability and desire to threaten and harm Israeli citizens for many years,” he said.

Previously 10 October World Health Organization (WHO) stated, which is working with partners to open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. According to the representative of the organization, Tarik Yašarevich, the seven largest hospitals have exhausted supplies of necessary materials. WHO will use $1 million to purchase medical supplies to treat up to 500 patients.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesman Jensa Larke noted that Israel has limited the supply of electricity to Gaza to three to four hours a day, with the local power plant remaining the only source of electricity, which “could run out of fuel in a few days.” The water cut “affects more than 610,000 people in Gaza and will lead to a serious shortage of drinking water,” Larke said.

On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas began military operations against Israel. The Israeli Army (IDF) responded by launching Operation Iron Swords, and the Israeli government announced that the country had entered a state of war. On October 9, the IDF announced the restoration of control over all populated areas of Israel and the transition to the phase of the complete destruction of Hamas. The total death toll in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has already exceeded 1,500 people.