Brussels: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Monday called on the EU to exert "real pressure" on Israel to stop what it described as the "carnage" in Gaza. "Our message to the leaders is simple. We urge you to use all political, economic and diplomatic tools to exert real pressure on Israel to stop the carnage in Gaza and to allow unhindered humanitarian aid," MSF Secretary General Christopher Lockyear said in a news conference, reading an open letter addressed to the European leaders.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lockyear highlighted the situation in Gaza as evidence of a profound failure of moral and political responsibility, urging Europe and other countries to show solidarity rooted in action and accountability. He questioned how many more lives must be lost before action is taken, criticizing European leaders for remaining complicit through inaction and for issuing empty statements of concern while supplying arms that contribute to the conflict.
Lockyear described the dire conditions reported by MSF teams on the ground, stating that homes, hospitals, and essential infrastructure have been destroyed by Israeli forces. He emphasized that these are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of a systematic disregard for international humanitarian law. Further, he accused Israel of weaponizing humanitarian assistance to serve military and political goals, stressing that aid is a legal obligation, not a bargaining chip.
The MSF representative stated that Israel is systematically destroying the conditions necessary for Palestinian life in Gaza, attributing the catastrophe to deliberate human decisions and the international community's lack of decisive action to halt it. Omar Ebeid, an MSF emergency coordinator, described the dire living conditions in Gaza, highlighting issues such as inaccessible fresh water and dysfunctional sewage systems, which have led to widespread displacement.
MSF Medical Doctor Virginia Moneti expressed concern over the dwindling medical supplies, stating the inability to meet the growing needs. She highlighted the unsustainable conditions faced by MSF staff, some of whom have become patients themselves, and called for immediate humanitarian aid and action.
The conflict has resulted in at least 55,432 Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.