The European Union is facing growing pressure to take concrete actions aimed at saving lives in Gaza. This comes as the European Parliament has passed a resolution advocating for a "humanitarian pause."
The resolution's adoption follows the United States' rejection of a similar UN Security Council resolution that called for temporary ceasefires to facilitate the delivery of life-saving aid to Gaza's population.
Ambassadors representing Arab nations at the European Union have criticized the EU for its lack of decisive action and its failure to demand an immediate ceasefire.
Abdelrahim Alfarra, the Palestinian Authority's Ambassador to the EU, is calling on the European Union to use all available means to exert immediate pressure on Israel.
He emphasizes, "I urge the European Union to press Israel to halt the massacres and attacks against civilians, including children and women in Gaza."
Alfarra further stresses that the European Union and its member states carry both moral and principled responsibilities.
He asserts that maintaining double standards is unacceptable, stating, "We call on the Europeans to ensure an immediate end to the aggression against the Gaza strip."
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have criticized the European Parliament for a "modest gesture" in calling for a humanitarian pause rather than a comprehensive ceasefire.
Vittorio Infante, an Oxfam EU conflict expert, highlights that while seizing any opportunity to safely deliver aid to Gaza is crucial, it does not constitute the ultimate solution.
He emphasizes, "A comprehensive ceasefire, agreed upon by all parties, and ending the blockade of Gaza is the only way to ensure adequate humanitarian aid and life-saving assistance reaches the civilian population."
The European Union has faced significant criticism for its divided response to the conflict, including conflicting statements regarding the possible suspension of vital aid to Palestinian territories.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also faced scrutiny for her consistent support for Israel and her reluctance to demand respect for international humanitarian law.
The international community has called on Egypt, which shares a border with the southern part of Gaza, to establish humanitarian corridors to facilitate aid delivery to those fleeing the conflict.
In anticipation of a potential ground invasion, hundreds of thousands of Gazans have relocated to the south after Israel ordered the evacuation of the northern part of the enclave.
The Egyptian ambassador to the EU refutes claims that Egypt is refusing to open its passage to Gaza. Ambassador Badr Abdelatty clarifies, "We have never closed the crossing, and this should be understood.
I assure you that the Egyptian side of the crossing has never been closed. The issue is that the other part of the crossing has been hit four times."
The European Commission recently announced its intention to send humanitarian supplies to the Egyptian border for Gaza, with two flights scheduled to depart this week.
Following an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders, Ursula von der Leyen states that the Commission is "in discussions with the Egyptian authorities to facilitate the entry of EU aid into Gaza."
Arab ambassadors assert that Israel is responsible for the tragic incident at the Al-Ahli Arab hospital, where hundreds lost their lives.
Israel, however, attributes the attack to an accidental rocket fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant group.
Members of the European Parliament have also joined calls for an independent investigation into the incident's cause.
