Josep Borrell, the head of the European Union’s foreign policy service, drew a stark parallel between the Gaza Strip crisis and the destruction seen in German cities during World War II. Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, he described the scene as catastrophic and apocalyptic, highlighting the toll of the violence that began with the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military actions. The EU official stressed the devastating impact on civilians, noting that the human cost is rising rapidly and that civilian deaths make up a large share of the casualties reported so far, with many more people likely unaccounted for beneath rubble. He called for urgent, substantive action to address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, underscoring the scale of the destruction and suffering.
In parallel, Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, characterized the health situation in Gaza as disastrous during an emergency council session. He highlighted the severe strain on medical services and the dire conditions facing patients and healthcare workers in the territory. The WHO has repeatedly warned that the crisis is surpassing normal humanitarian thresholds and requires a robust and coordinated international response.
During a visit by a WHO team to Nassar Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, officials reported that the facility was operating well beyond its capacity. Approximately a thousand patients were receiving care there, a number three times higher than the venue was designed to accommodate. The conditions for delivering medical services were described as unimaginable under the prevailing circumstances, with shortages of essential supplies, disrupted electricity and water, and insufficient staffing complicating efforts to treat the injured and provide ongoing care for those with chronic illnesses.
The discussion in Barcelona at the Union for the Mediterranean forum touched on the broader humanitarian challenge. Borrell warned that providing aid would be futile if it cannot reach those most in need. He emphasized the need for reliable access corridors and secure channels to deliver relief to Gazan civilians, noting that without safe passage, aid becomes a fragile lifeline rather than a stable source of relief. The remarks underscored the tension between urgent humanitarian needs and the harsh realities on the ground that hinder relief operations.
The conflict has also drawn attention to the experiences of Gazans who have fled the territory seeking safety elsewhere. Those who previously escaped life under bombardment described daily dangers of remaining in war zones and the precarious conditions faced by displaced families. Their testimonies, along with the assessments of international health and humanitarian organizations, contribute to a growing consensus about the breadth of the crisis and the imperative for international action to protect civilians and facilitate aid delivery while pursuing a path toward de-escalation and a sustainable political solution.