Abu dhabi: More than 50 members of the European Parliament have sent an urgent letter to Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management, urging immediate and tangible measures to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza amid what they described as an 'unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.'

According to Emirates News Agency, the lawmakers highlighted that millions of euros in European taxpayers' money have been allocated for aid, but shipments of food, medicine, and medical supplies remain stuck at the border. They attribute this to what they called Israel's systematic policy of blocking, diverting, or destroying the aid.

The letter argues that the blockade on Gaza amounts to collective punishment. It emphasizes that neutrality in aid delivery should not equate to neutrality toward what they described as crimes committed against civilians and humanitarian workers.

The lawmakers called on the EU to organize a direct humanitarian operation to deliver aid to Gaza outside Israeli channels. They also urged the establishment of a transparent mechanism to track assistance, ensuring it is not lost or obstructed, and called for holding Israel politically and legally accountable for violations of international humanitarian law. This includes suspending the partnership agreement and imposing sanctions.

The signatories concluded by asserting that Europe can no longer limit itself to issuing statements of concern and calls for peace while Palestinians face the risk of famine and annihilation. They urged Lahbib to act urgently and turn European commitments into concrete action on the ground.