Israel claims taking measures to improve humanitarian situation in besieged Gaza
JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar claimed on Thursday that Tel Aviv has taken measures to improve the humanitarian situation in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
“After our dialogue with the European Union, the Security Cabinet made additional decisions to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Sa’ar said in a press conference in Vienna with his German and Austrian counterparts, Johann Wadephul, and Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
“These decisions include more trucks, more crossings, and more pathways for humanitarian efforts.”
Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid since March 2, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave, affecting Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
The blockade has pushed the region into famine conditions, with many reported deaths due to hunger.
The Israeli minister alleged that Israel is “serious” about reaching a Gaza ceasefire and hostage swap agreement.
“According to the framework, if a temporary ceasefire is reached, we will negotiate a permanent ceasefire.”
On Wednesday, Hamas said that it agreed to release 10 living hostages as a sign of “flexibility” to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump said his administration is “getting very close to a deal” on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel are ongoing in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The Israeli army has killed nearly 57,800 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and the spread of disease.
Israel’s attacks on Iran
Turning to recent Israeli attacks on Iran, Sa’ar said the assault has “inflicted severe damage to their nuclear and ballistic missile programs.”
He claimed that Iran’s nuclear program poses a “major threat to regional and global security,” and that its ballistic missiles “threaten the security of Europe as well, not only Israel.”
“It’s time for the E3 countries — Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — to activate the snapback against the Iranian regime,” he said.
A 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran erupted last month, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites, killing at least 935 people. The Iranian Health Ministry said 5,332 people were injured.
Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, killing at least 29 people and wounding more than 3,400, according to figures released by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
The conflict ended with a US-sponsored ceasefire that took effect on June 24.
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