Dozens of Western countries have jointly called for the immediate reopening of the medical passage connecting Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. They have offered financial support and medical aid to assist in treating patients from Gaza in the West Bank. The appeal, spearheaded by Canada, emphasizes the critical need for medical evacuations and treatment accessibility for Gaza patients on Palestinian territory.
Signatories to the joint statement include Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the European Union, and Poland. Notably absent from the list of signatories is the United States. The countries urge Israel to remove restrictions on the delivery of medicine and medical supplies to Gaza.
Israel has previously declined requests to allow Palestinians to receive medical care in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, citing security concerns. While some Palestinians have been permitted to be transferred from Gaza to other countries for treatment, Palestinians stress the importance of broader access to healthcare facilities in other Palestinian regions.
Despite Israel lifting a blockade on aid in May, aid agencies report that only a small portion of the necessary aid, including medicine, has reached the people in Gaza. The World Health Organization has warned that Gaza’s healthcare system is under immense strain.
Israel maintains control over all access points to Gaza and asserts that it provides an adequate amount of food aid and essential supplies to the region. However, international condemnation has intensified due to images of malnourished Palestinians, including children, following the recent conflict that has caused significant casualties and displacement.
Israel justifies its actions as self-defense in response to a deadly attack by Palestinian Hamas militants in October 2023. Despite Washington’s opposition, key allies like Britain and France have expressed support for Palestinian statehood as a step towards a two-state solution.
