Gaza

Ahead of the EU foreign affairs ministers' meeting to discuss the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Agnes Bertrand Sanz, Oxfam Humanitarian Expert, said: “The cost of inaction is measured in lives. Oxfam and partners see firsthand the unspeakable toll in Gaza: homes flattened, hospitals destroyed and looming famine. No one should live in this constant fear, not knowing if today will be the day they die. There is no time for more debate and no room for passing the buck. It is time for leadership and decisive action. Europe must ask itself: does it want to be complicit in these atrocities?” 

Oxfam is deeply concerned by the outcomes of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. At a time when urgent global crises demand bold and united action, the summit fell short of delivering the leadership the world needs. 

The Group of Seven (G7) countries are set to slash their aid spending by 28 percent for 2026 compared to 2024 levels.

In reaction to the recent announcement that the EU will review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s Policy lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza: “Let’s be clear: it is a welcome step, but far too little and too late. For months upon months, the people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. Entire families erased. Homes, hospitals and schools reduced to rubble.

With the start of the Israeli Knesset’s summer session on May 4, the undersigning organisations observe with grave concern the series of legislative initiatives and policy measures, currently making their way through the legislative process, that pose existential threats to the survival and mandate of Human Rights Organisations in Israel. 

Representatives from Oxfam and leading humanitarian organisations will brief the press on the impact of Israel’s total siege on Gaza, which has lasted now more than 70 days, and Israel’s plan to control and limit aid distribution moving forward.  

"It is indefensible that Israel has breached the ceasefire agreement by carrying out airstrikes across the Gaza Strip."

As EU and Israeli officials meet today behind closed doors to discuss their bilateral relationship, Agnès Bertrand-Sanz, Oxfam humanitarian expert, said: “The EU includes human rights clauses in its bilateral deals for a reason, yet with Israel, these clauses seem optional. By having this meeting, the EU is signalling that it is business as usual”. 

In a letter published ahead of the European Union (EU)-Israel Association Council, a coalition of civil society and human rights organisations publish a clear case for the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement in the face of Israel’s breaches of international law and call on the European Commission to draft a proposal accordingly. The forthcoming EU-Israel Association Council must address Israel’s violation of Article 2 and act decisively to uphold its commitment to human rights and international law. 

Urgent call on parties to abide by their commitments towards a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon and appeal to the international community.