European official: Food is running out in Gaza and rotting outside due to Israeli ban

This came in a statement on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, issued on Monday, ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Habib pointed out that there are three urgent priorities in Gaza as Israel continues its genocide: resuming the ceasefire, releasing all prisoners, and facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid.

The European official explained that Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to the blockade of aid entry, adding, "For more than a month, no aid, food, electricity, or even a single morsel of bread has arrived."

"While warehouses outside Gaza are filling up with food, food is running out in Gaza and rotting outside because we can't enter the area, and at least 100 children are being killed or injured every day," she added.

She expressed her sorrow over the killing of humanitarian workers trying to save lives, and stressed the need to protect them at all times and in all places, and to hold those who target them accountable.

She noted that Israel has not approved humanitarian aid missions wishing to operate in the region for some time, and that there are no longer any international staff in Gaza and the West Bank.

She noted that the situation in the occupied West Bank is also deteriorating, adding: "Forced displacement and violence have become the norm, which is why we need decisive political action."

Lahbib noted that the first meeting of the high-level political dialogue between the European Union and Palestine will be held with the participation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa following the foreign ministers' meeting.

She said that the meeting participants will discuss opportunities for cooperation, bilateral relations, and meeting the needs of the Palestinian people.

Since the start of its war of extermination in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation army and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 947 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 7,000 others, and the arrest of 16,400 Palestinians, according to official Palestinian figures.