Senior European diplomats on Tuesday demanded that Israel end its blockade on the coastal enclave of Gaza after living conditions have become appalling in the territory.
Speaking during a field visit to the Gaza Strip European Union representative in Palestine Ralph Tarraf said the situation in Gaza has become unbearable due to the tough Israeli siege.
Tarraf called on Israel to take urgent steps so as to bring about a categorical political security and economic change.
“EU’s projects are not enough. The situation has become quite alarming” said the diplomat demanding that Israel unblock the crossings and lift the siege.
He called for securing a safe passage for international and local humanitarian institutions including the EU bodies and member-states into Gaza as stipulated by the international humanitarian law.
The Palestinian minister of Labor Mamoun Abu Shahla said the visit by EU diplomats to Gaza is a proof of the key position granted to the Palestinian cause on the international arena.
“We Gazans do not accept to remain under the siege for the rest of our lives. We believe in ourselves and our future. . . . Gaza is steadfast and will never throw in the towel” said Abu Shahla.
A delegation of 45 European diplomats including 36 EU consuls toured Gaza and met with Palestinian ministers on Tuesday.
The Palestinian diplomats briefed the EU delegation on the socio-economic repercussions of the Israeli siege and the latest developments as regards reconstruction projects.
It was the first such delegation since late 2014 which took place after Israel’s summer offensive on the coastal territory.
Israel imposed a tough blockade on Gaza in 2006 in what observes dubbed the largest “open air prison” humanity has ever witnessed.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for the blockade to be lifted and Israel’s policies of collective punishment be brought to an end in the beleaguered Palestinian territories.
Israel has prevented hundreds of internationally funded and monitored projects in Gaza and continues to do so even as Gaza children grapple with dire living conditions.
