Oliver Towfigh Nia
October 23, 2023•Update: October 24, 2023
BERLIN
Germany on Monday expressed concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza amid intense Israeli air attacks, calling it “catastrophic.”
“Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation, it is important that as many humanitarian goods as possible, food, medicine, water and also fuel come into Gaza,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said told a routine press briefing.
“As we have made clear several times, we are committed to this intensively, together with the UN, the EU partners, together with our partners in the US that there should be more extensive border openings and that significantly more aid deliveries should be delivered to Gaza,“ he added.
Fischer’s remarks come amid Germany's opposition to calls in for a humanitarian cease-fire for the Gaza Strip.
The fight against terrorism is essential, said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday at a meeting with counterparts in Luxembourg. "There will only be peace and security for Israel and the Palestinians if terrorism is fought,” said Baerbok, referring to the Oct. 7 Hamas offensive against Israel.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, among others, had previously called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.
Israel continues to target Gaza with intensive airstrikes that have destroyed entire neighborhoods, killing 5,087 Palestinians, including 2,055 children and 1,119 women.
More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel.
An aid convoy of relief trucks reached the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the second since the conflict began. The UN says at least 100 trucks a day are needed to provide the basic needs of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
