Brussels: More than 200 former EU ambassadors and senior officials accused Brussels on Tuesday of failing to act on Gaza, signing a joint letter urging the bloc to ramp up pressure on Israel to end its 'brutal war' and occupation.

According to Anadolu Agency, the signatories expressed their profound disappointment that the EU has not taken substantive measures to pressure Israel to end its military actions and to resume vital humanitarian assistance in Gaza. They called for the dismantling of what they referred to as Israel's illegal occupation of both Gaza and the West Bank. The letter, which was seen by Irish broadcaster RTE News, warned that the lack of EU action could force individual member states or groups of like-minded countries to act independently, potentially diminishing the impact of collective action.

The officials also conveyed their dismay that no ceasefire has been agreed upon in Gaza, despite a previous letter signed by 58 former EU ambassadors four weeks earlier. They criticized Israel's plans to evacuate Gaza City and condemned the Israeli government's intention to expand illegal settlements in East Jerusalem. The letter argued that this expansion openly aims to sabotage the two-state solution supported by the majority of UN member states and the EU.

Furthermore, the letter highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, referencing the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification's confirmation of a man-made famine affecting half a million people. The letter was addressed to key EU figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and the leaders and foreign ministers of the 27 member states.