A delegation of 80 UN member countries on Thursday signed a declaration saying that they are "committed to upholding international humanitarian law and protecting civilians in armed conflict," citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)'s statement that the Gaza Strip faces the "worst humanitarian crisis," France's UN mission confirmed on Thursday, publishing the statement in full.
"The protection of civilians is not optional. It is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law, and a moral imperative we cannot afford to neglect," the statement read.
The declaration also condemned all acts of violence and threats against humanitarian actors, stating that 2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel, with over 360 individuals killed in 20 countries.
The delegation, which included France, Australia, Canada, China, the EU, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and others, urged parties to the conflict to "allow and facilitate, as required by international humanitarian law, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians in need."
"The instrumentalization of aid for political, military, or security strategic objectives is unacceptable," the delegation's statement added.
The countries also reaffirmed that "accountability for violations is essential," adding "Alleged violations of IHL and alleged human rights violations and abuses in armed conflict must systematically be met with credible investigations and perpetrators must be held accountable. Impunity cannot be the norm. Impunity is not just a failure of justice—it is a license for repetition."
Hamas said it welcomed the joint statement, saying that it "confirms the expanding international rejection of the ongoing crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the fascist occupation government in the Gaza Strip."
The situation in Gaza is moving "in the direction of ethnic cleansing and genocide," the rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said in a statement on Friday, calling for Israel to allow "independent, neutral, and unhindered access by humanitarian organisations," to Gaza in order to distribute aid.
Israel says renewed operations tied to distribution of aid to Gazans
The IDF's control over the Gaza Strip has jumped more than 50% in recent weeks, since renewing its offensive on the enclave after negotiations for releasing more hostages broke down in March.
The expansion of the operation, known as Operation Gideon's Chariots, is for the purpose of taking control of the entire territory in order to prevent Hamas from looting humanitarian aid, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.
The cabinet decision on Sunday evening to renew such aid was the correct move, he said, since without it, Israel would lose the support of its “closest allies,” including US senators who “support Israel unconditionally.”
“We cannot reach a situation of famine, neither professionally nor diplomatically,” the prime minister said in a video statement.
Aid enters Gaza after 11-weeks
100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid from the UN and the international community, including flour, baby food, and medical equipment, were transferred on Wednesday through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade and began allowing limited deliveries into the enclave via the crossing.
The arrival of aid trucks into Gaza was "far too little, too late, and too slow," a spokesperson for the German government said on Friday, adding that now the focus must be on increasing the flow of aid and ensuring supplies reach the people.
More than 120 trucks carrying food aid have been cleared by the IDF for distribution in Gaza in recent days, but there is an ongoing debate regarding how much of it is getting to Gazan civilians.
The UN reported on Wednesday that it had been unable to unload and distribute any humanitarian aid in Gaza due to insecurity in the area and the risk of looting.
"So far ... none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area," said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday, adding that it was because Israeli authorities had only allowed access within Gaza "that we felt was insecure" and where looting was likely due to the prolonged deprivation.
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Eliav Breuer contributed to this story.