LONDON, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Britain on Tuesday issued a joint statement expressing concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The ministers expressed "serious concerns about the renewed deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza which remains catastrophic," according to the statement released by the British Foreign Office.
Civilians in Gaza are facing appalling conditions with heavy rainfall and temperatures dropping as winter draws in, the statement said, adding that they are also suffering from severe shortages of food and health facilities.
The ministers called on the Israeli government to ensure the "sustained and predictable" operation of international non-governmental organizations in Gaza to secure a humanitarian response, and to ensure that the United Nations and its partners can continue delivering aid in the region.
Israel was also urged to lift restrictions on dual-use imports and open border crossings to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid.
The Palestinian government recently urged the international community and UN agencies to take urgent humanitarian action to protect Gaza residents from harsh winter conditions and successive storms.
In a statement following its weekly meeting in Ramallah, the government called for the entry of mobile homes and other shelter supplies into the territory. ■
