Dozens of Western countries asked on Monday (22) to reopen the medical corridor between Gaza and Israel’s occupied West Bank, offering to provide financial aid and medical staff or equipment to treat Gaza patients in the West Bank.
“We vehemently appeal to Israel to restore the medical corridor to the occupied Whell, including East Jerusalem, so that Gaza’s medical exits can be resumed and patients can receive the treatment they need so urgently in Palestinian territory,” the countries asked in a joint statement released by Canada.
Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, European Union and Poland were between the two dozen signatories of the statement. The United States was not listed as signatories.
“In addition, we urged Israel to suspend restrictions on the delivery of medical drugs and equipment to Gaza,” the statement says.
There was no immediate reaction from Israel. In the past, Israel has rejected appeals to allow Gaza residents to receive medical attention in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, more recently during a meeting this month between Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and his Danish counterpart, Saar claimed “concerns about security.”
Israel allowed some gaza residents to be sent to Arab and European countries for treatment. Palestinians say this does not replace broader access to hospitals in other Palestinian territories.
Humanitarian agencies stated in late August that only a small amount of the necessary help, including medications, has been reaching the population of Gaza since Israel suspended the blockade to help in May.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said in May that Gaza’s health system is at a critical point. Israel controls all access to Gaza and claims to allow sufficient food and supplies to enter the territory.
Images of hungry Palestinians, including children, generated global outrage at the Israeli attack on Gaza, which, since October 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, has traveled internally almost the entire population of Gaza and.
Several human rights, academics and one experts.
Israel considers his actions as self -defense after an October 2023 attack by Palestinian militants of Hamas, who killed 1,200 people and made more than 250 hostages.
Some important US allies, especially the UK and as a way to a two -state solution, despite Washington’s disapproval.
