Germany: Israel has no excuse for hampering aid deliveries to Gaza

Israel has “no excuse” for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, Germany’s deputy foreign minister said yesterday, on the eve of a conference on humanitarian support for the Strip organised by Cairo.

Tobias Lindner said in a statement before heading to Cairo that Israel must “at last keep its promises to fluidify humanitarian aid into Gaza and to allow sufficient humanitarian access at any moment.”

“Israel’s right to legitimate self-defence finds its limits in international humanitarian rights,” he added.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had made similar statements in early November, accusing Israel of “constantly” reneging on its commitments.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced yesterday that it was suspending the entry of humanitarian aid through the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip due to security concerns.

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