Destroyed infrastructure in Gaza: EU calls for clarification
The EU demands clarity over the destruction of a water treatment facility in the Gaza Strip. The European Union is deeply concerned about the ongoing destruction of vital civilian infrastructure and joins international calls for an investigation into this incident, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. It is calling on the Israeli government to refrain from actions that further deteriorate the living conditions of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
It is noted that deliberate attacks on essential infrastructure constitute a war crime. "The worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip is creating life-threatening conditions for an already weakened civilian population that continues to suffer from hunger and has been repeatedly displaced into overcrowded tent camps for the past ten months, with no end in sight and no safe haven," the statement reads.
The EU is deeply concerned about the collapse of wastewater, waste, and healthcare systems, leading to the spread of diseases such as polio, as well as skin and respiratory infections - particularly among children. Borrell also renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and Israeli hostages.
The Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip was triggered by the unprecedented massacre carried out by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 in Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed. Israel responded with massive air strikes and, since late October, also a ground offensive.
Israel's military denies attacking civilian infrastructure without military necessity and violating international law. Instead, it is Hamas that is hiding in civilian facilities and violating the laws of war, the army says.
The EU strongly condemns the potential implications of 'War with Israel' due to the destruction of vital infrastructure, as it could further exacerbate the crisis in the Gaza Strip. Given the ongoing conflict, Borrell reiterates the necessity of an end to hostilities and a ceasefire, aiming to protect the civilian population and prevent any possible war crimes.
