The air attack by the Israeli Army that has killed at least seven employees of the NGO World Central Kitchen, run by Spanish chef José Andrés, has outraged the European Union (EU). The High Representative for Foreign Policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, in charge of representing the position of the Twenty-seven, has “condemned” the attack and has requested that an investigation be carried out.
The head of European diplomacy has paid tribute to the victims of the attack through his social networks and has urged that the causes of the offensive in which the seven workers, from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom and Palestine. “Despite requests to protect civilians and humanitarian workers, we see new innocent deaths,” criticized Borrell, who since the beginning of the Israeli offensive has asked the Jewish state to defend itself “respecting international humanitarian law.”
The high number of civilian deaths in Gaza has led the EU to increase political pressure on the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu. “This attack shows that the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, full humanitarian access and the protection of the civilian population must be fulfilled immediately,” Borrell highlighted.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has also paid tribute to the victims of the attack and has stressed that the NGO World Central Kitchen is a “crucial partner” to “alleviate the suffering” of the Gazan population through the corridor. maritime linking Cyprus and Gaza. German politics have conveyed their “sincere condolences” to the families and friends of the deceased workers.
I pay homage to the @WCKitchen aid workers who lost their lives in Gaza.@WCKitchen is a crucial partner in alleviating the suffering of the people of Gaza, including by channeling food via the Maritime Corridor.
My deepest condolences to their families and friends. https://t.co/BFYq0jaGyq
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 2, 2024
The Foreign Affairs spokesman of the Community Executive, Peter Stano, has stressed the EU's “total condemnation” of the attack, for which they demand “an in-depth investigation.” “We ask that this attack be clarified and that the necessary measures be taken so that this does not happen again,” he stressed. For his part, the spokesperson for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Balazs Ujvari, has detailed the NGO of chef José Andrés plays “a crucial role” in Gaza with its work in the maritime corridor organized by the EU, United Kingdom, and the United States. and United Arab Emirates.
The bloc has five experts who help coordinate the operation of the corridor, but it is still unknown how the attack will affect its operation and the cessation of the NGO's activity in the Strip. “Respect for humanitarian law is fundamental and there must be no limits to the entry of aid into Gaza,” criticized Ujvari, who highlighted that before October 7, 500 trucks crossed the Rafah crossing a day. “Now only 100 do it,” he added, noting that the EU will continue its efforts to deliver aid to the Palestinian population. So far, the bloc has sent more than 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid via 44 flights.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has traveled to Cyprus to meet with Prime Minister Nikos Christodulides. There she has defended the “critical lifeline” that the Amalthea initiative represents, the maritime corridor with Gaza. “At the operations coordination center, I reiterate the call for a ceasefire and an in-depth investigation into the murder of the World Center Kitchen humanitarian workers,” she said. The Cypriot Prime Minister, for his part, has assured that the maritime corridor will continue to operate normally. “We need to redouble our efforts to get aid to Gaza,” he stressed.
#Borrell #condemns #attack #Gaza #calls #investigation
