Brussels: An open letter co-signed by 209 former EU and Member State ambassadors and senior officials has called for urgent action to halt the ongoing war in Gaza. The diplomats expressed dismay over the European Union's inaction since their previous letter on July 28, which outlined nine proposed actions in response to the Israeli government's activities in Gaza and the West Bank. Despite these recommendations, no ceasefire has been agreed upon.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the letter warned of the Israeli government's plans to evacuate Gaza City and its surroundings, forcing nearly one million Palestinians into concentrated areas in the south. This action raises concerns of potential large-scale deportations to third countries, posing a significant risk of a migration crisis. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed on August 22 that a man-made famine now exists in these areas, with half a million people facing starvation. Additionally, malnutrition threatens the lives of 132,000 children under five through June 2026, with an estimated 640,000 people expected to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity by September 2025.
Tragically, more than 200 Gazan citizens, including over 60 children, have already died from malnutrition-related causes. The letter highlights that since the initial letter on July 28, over 2,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, many of them women and children, and more than 12,000 have been injured. Humanitarian access to Gaza remains severely restricted, with the Israeli government preventing UNRWA and 100 international NGOs from delivering aid since March 2, further exacerbating the crisis.
The diplomats also noted that international journalists are denied access to Gaza, and more than 200 locally based journalists and media workers have been killed, including eleven in recent targeted attacks. The letter expressed profound disappointment that no substantive measures have been taken by the EU to pressure Israel to end the conflict and resume vital humanitarian assistance. They emphasized the importance of EU-wide collective action and outlined specific actions for EU Member States to take, including suspending arms export licenses, stopping funding for projects involving Israeli entities, and enforcing national sanctions.
The letter concluded with a call for EU leadership consistent with European values and global credibility, urging action beyond words to support human rights and uphold international law.
