These are the countries that signed the petition demanding that Israel allow humanitarian aid into Gaza: 'Famine is spreading, action is needed.'

More than twenty countries, including several European Union member states such as Spain, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan, urged Israel on Tuesday to authorize the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza to end the famine ravaging the Strip.

Lethal force should not be used at distribution points and civilians, humanitarian workers and medical personnel should be protected.

" The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. The famine is spreading before our eyes. Urgent action is needed to halt and reverse the famine," the foreign ministers of the 24 signatory countries said in a joint statement published by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas.

In it, they emphasize that humanitarian space "must be protected and aid should never be politicized," and warn that the new "restrictive" registration requirements introduced by Israel could force essential international NGOs to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories "imminently," which would "further worsen the humanitarian situation."

"We urge the Israeli government to authorize all aid shipments from international NGOs and to unblock the operations of essential humanitarian actors. Immediate, permanent, and concrete steps must be taken to facilitate safe and large-scale access for the United Nations, international NGOs, and humanitarian partners," the statement said.

In this regard, they are calling for all crossings and routes to be used to allow the entry of a large amount of aid into Gaza, including food, nutritional supplies, shelter, fuel, drinking water, medicines, and medical equipment.

"Lethal force should not be used at distribution points, and civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel must be protected," the signatories state.

The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels. Famine is spreading before our eyes.

They also emphasize the need for a ceasefire that can end the war, free the hostages, and allow aid to enter Gaza by land without hindrance, while thanking the United States, Qatar, and Egypt for their efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

The joint declaration is signed by the foreign ministers of:

Also signing the document were the High Representative for EU Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas; the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica; and the European Commissioner for Equality, Crisis Preparedness and Management, Hadja Lahbib.