“As ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy – we are gravely alarmed by the continued destruction, mass suffering, forced starvation and devastating humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. What is taking place before the eyes of the international community is a profound human tragedy and a grave violation of international law, reaching the threshold of a genocide, as indicated in the report A/70/363 of the Special Committee of the United Nations.

We strongly echo the numerous and ongoing statements made by United Nations experts, including the reportby the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese. We also support the recent joint statements by the foreign ministers of 31 countries and the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, which affirm that “the Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Gazans of human dignity.”

Furthermore, we endorse the call for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza, as demanded by over 100 humanitarian organisations whose work on the ground is of vital importance.” […]