ISTANBUL

European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib on Wednesday sounded the alarm over the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza that is now "beyond words."

"The situation is catastrophic; it's beyond words. We have crossed a threshold of horror that was unimaginable," Lahbib told French broadcaster RFI.

Pointing to the growing hunger among the population, she noted a rising number of sudden heart attacks, as vital functions begin to fail due to starvation.

"The latest figures we have access to show that 21 children have died of hunger, not counting all those killed by bullets. Today, Palestinians have a choice: either die by bullets or die of hunger," Lahbib said.

She further voiced her concerns over Israel’s plan to relocate all Palestinians to what she called a “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza.

"We also know that there is this plan to create a kind of humanitarian city, from which Palestinians would not be able to leave, except to be evacuated elsewhere.

"So there is a very worrying project here, one that also lacks long-term vision for what everyone calls the two-state solution, which is discussed and agreed upon," she explained.

Underlining that everyone agrees with the implementation of a two-state solution, she stressed that it is becoming "less and less realistic."

"We obtained this agreement just as the possible suspension of the association agreement was being analyzed, since Article 2 of that agreement requires respect for humanitarian law.

"The Israelis, the Israeli authorities, took a step. They let in a few trucks, about 40 according to our information. It’s a drop in the ocean. What is needed now is true respect for international humanitarian law," Lahbib added.

She reiterated the need to achieve a lasting ceasefire and develop a "long-term vision" that will allow "these two states, these two peoples, to live in peace side by side and in security."

Israel has killed more than 59,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, collapsed the health system, and led to severe food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.