EU voices 'deep concern' over Israel's latest evacuation orders in Gaza

GENEVA

The EU on Friday voiced "deep concern" over Israel's evacuation orders from Khan Younis in Gaza, saying it is "creating a humanitarian crisis within the crisis."

In a joint statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said that not only were 250,000 people impacted by these orders, but these also threatened the patients and staff of the European Hospital and forced them to relocate to other facilities.

"This evacuation decision is certain to worsen overcrowding and cause severe shortages in the already overwhelmed remaining hospitals at a time when access to emergency medical care is critical," Borrell and Lenarcic said.

"Forced evacuations are creating a humanitarian crisis within the crisis. They exacerbate an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, with nearly 1.9 million Gazans displaced within the Strip, as stated by UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag in the Security Council," they said.

They stressed that there are no facilities to accommodate people, and humanitarian partners struggle to meet the immense needs of the newly displaced.

"The European Union reiterates that for evacuations not to amount to prohibited forcible transfers, they must conform with International Humanitarian Law, guaranteeing safety in transit and proper accommodation in areas of refuge for Palestinians called on to evacuate," they said.

They reminded Israel of its responsibility to guarantee that displaced persons are able to return to their homes or areas of habitual residence once hostilities end.

"Displaced people also need to have access to the necessary services and have their needs met," they added.

They noted that the EU mobilized all its crisis response and humanitarian tools to channel needed aid to Gaza.

"A ceasefire is all the more important now, and would make possible a surge of humanitarian assistance to Gaza as well as the release of all hostages," they said.

They also urged the implementation of the orders of the International Court of Justice of Jan. 26, and May 24, as they are "legally binding."