EU demands Gaza blockade be lifted for large-scale aid and condemns the killings

The European Union issued a strong statement regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

On April 13, EU representatives — High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Democracy Dubravka Šuica, and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Hadja Lahbib — condemned the resumption of hostilities and the killing of 15 humanitarian workers on March 23.

The EU demands an immediate restoration of the ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the resumption of large-scale humanitarian aid deliveries.

According to EU agencies, food supplies delivered during the truce are nearly depleted.

The EU calls on Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to civilians, as required by international humanitarian law.

As a reminder, the Israeli army acknowledged that on March 23 its soldiers mistakenly opened fire on a convoy of emergency services in southern Gaza, killing 15 people. The convoy included vehicles from the Red Crescent, the UN, and the civil defense fire service.

The military initially claimed the vehicles were moving "suspiciously" — without coordination, in the dark, and allegedly without lights. However, video evidence later revealed that the vehicles had their headlights on and were on their way to help the wounded.

The IDF admitted that all those killed were unarmed, though it alleges some may have had ties to Hamas.