Gaza humanitarian crisis

Sweden hauls in Israeli ambassador over Gaza humanitarian crisis

Europe’s impatience with Israel’s war is building. 

By Yurii Stasiuk

The Swedish foreign ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador on Tuesday over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. 

The ministry demanded that Israel immediately ensure the unhindered flow of aid to Gaza. Israel has for weeks blocked aid from entering the besieged coastal enclave, before allowing in a small amount last week. 

In recent weeks, European countries have signaled growing impatience with Israel over its military assault in Gaza. The EU announced last week that it would review its political and economic agreement with the country, while the German chancellor on Monday criticized Israel’s offensive in blunt terms.

Now Sweden is taking Israel to task for its actions.  

“Blocking food and other aid to civilians is indefensible. What is unfolding before our eyes is the worst humanitarian situation since the start of the war in October 2023,” the ministry wrote in a statement. “The way the war is now being waged is unacceptable.”

The statement emphasized that Israel has a right to defend itself, but that it should do so in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Israel launched its war in Gaza in retaliation for the October 2023 attack by militant group Hamas, which killed around 1,200 people. More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli retaliation, according to Gaza authorities. 

Last week, the United Nations humanitarian chief warned of imminent starvation in Gaza, where 14,000 babies were at risk of dying, he said. While Israel has allowed some aid to the Strip in the past week, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called it “a teaspoon of aid.”