Brussels, 15/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration published on Friday by the German presidency, 'the EU presidency condemns in the strongest possible terms the violent seizure of power by illegal Hamas militia in the Gaza Strip. It condemns the killing of innocent civilians and members of the legal security forces. It is extremely concerned about the repercussions for the humanitarian situation and demands that all sides facilitate supplies to the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.'
'The EU presidency emphatically supports President Abbas' decision, in keeping with the Palestinian Basic Law, to dismiss the government and to appoint a caretaker government for the Palestinian territories. The EU presidency calls upon all sides to accept the decisions made by President Abbas and to do everything possible to help calm the situation in the Gaza Strip and prevent the spread of the violence to the West Bank. The EU presidency once again reiterates its complete support for President Abbas, who is our partner and whom we regard as a partner for the Israeli government. It calls upon all sides to support President Abbas.'
Louis Michel calls for humanitarian truce - Commission continues to supply emergency aid
On 14 June, before the state of emergency was decreed for the Gaza Strip, which has now been cut off from the rest of the world, EU Commissioner Louis Michel called 'on the fighting parties in Gaza to accept a humanitarian truce to allow injured people to be evacuated and basic assistance - food, water and medical aid - to be delivered.' Louis Michel said: "I am appalled by the current situation in Gaza that is preventing humanitarian workers from assisting people in desperate need."
Security conditions in the Gaza Strip have temporarily forced the Commission's humanitarian partners in Gaza to halt their work. "We are fully committed to helping the suffering people of Gaza and to upholding fundamental humanitarian principles. The assistance must resume as soon as possible", said Louis Michel. These principles include ensuring access to victims and the supply of aid independently of any political considerations. Anxious to remove misunderstandings in the media and suggestions that the Commission had suspended its aid, a spokesperson for Louis Michel said on 15 June that some operations had been temporarily suspended (see EUROPE 9446) but that since then, Hamas had been facilitating access for international humanitarian organisations and the spokesperson hoped this would continue.
ECHO, the European Commission's humanitarian aid service, is starting to meet humanitarian needs, as is the WHO, the World Food Programme and the CARE charity, which is preparing to provide emergency medical aid. Louis Michel's spokesperson said that it should be possible to meet food aid requirements for two months but medical aid was urgent. The spokesperson said the situation in the West Bank and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon remained stable, apart from at the Nahr al-Bared camp in northern Lebanon. (an/hb)