Sweden summons Israel envoy over Gaza humanitarian crisis

The Swedish Foreign Ministry called in the Israeli ambassador on Tuesday due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Sweden demanded that Israel immediately allow aid to flow freely into Gaza without obstacles. For several weeks, Israel has blocked most aid from entering the besieged area. Last week, it permitted a small amount of aid, but the situation remains critical.

European countries have shown growing concern over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The European Union recently said it would review its political and economic relations with Israel. Germany’s Chancellor criticized Israel’s offensive in strong terms. Now, Sweden is holding Israel accountable for the blockade of aid to civilians in Gaza.

The Swedish government emphasized that Israel has the right to defend itself but must follow international humanitarian law. The current conflict began after Hamas militants attacked Israel in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Israel’s retaliation has resulted in over 55,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza authorities.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. The United Nations has warned of looming starvation, with about 14,000 babies at risk of dying due to lack of food and medicine. The aid allowed by Israel into Gaza has been described as far too little to meet the needs of the population.

Sweden and other nations are pressing Israel to open its borders fully for humanitarian aid. Immediate delivery of food, water, and medical supplies is vital to prevent further loss of life. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping that diplomatic pressure will ease the crisis and bring more help to Gaza’s civilians.