Gaza:Statement by the High Representative on the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure and worsening humanitarian situation

The European Union is gravely concerned over the continuing destruction of key civilian infrastructure, including a water treatment plant in Rafah, and joins international calls for clarity on this incident.

The ever-worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is creating life-threatening conditions for an already severely weakened civilian population that continues to be subject to starvation and repeated displacement into overcrowded tent camps for the tenth consecutive month, with no end in sight and nowhere to go. We are deeply concerned about the collapse of the sanitation, solid waste management, and health systems, causing the spread of diseases, including polio, skin and respiratory infections, in particular among children.

We recall that targeting critical life-saving infrastructure constitutes a war crime and urge all parties to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians, humanitarian workers, and critical civilian infrastructure. We reiterate the urgency of full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at the necessary scale for Palestinians. In this context, we reemphasise the importance of respecting and implementing the orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which are legally binding. Violations of international humanitarian law need to be thoroughly and independently investigated and accountability ensured.

We urge the Israeli government to desist from actions that worsen the living conditions of the civilian population in Gaza and to comply with its obligations under international law. An immediate ceasefire is urgently needed to end the plight of civilians in Gaza, including Israeli hostages.