The European Union’s foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas and the foreign ministers of 24 countries—including Britain, France, Japan, Canada and Australia—issued a joint statement on 12 August warning that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached “unimaginable levels” and that “famine is unfolding before our eyes.” The signatories demanded that Israel authorise all international NGO aid shipments, open every crossing and route into the enclave, and refrain from using lethal force at food-distribution sites. The declaration escalates diplomatic pressure that began on 8-9 August, when the foreign ministers of Britain, Germany, Italy, Australia and New Zealand rejected Israel’s decision to launch a new large-scale ground operation aimed at seizing Gaza City, arguing it risked breaching international law and endangering hostages and civilians. Spain, Norway, Ireland, Portugal and others joined the criticism on 10 August, bringing the total to eight European countries publicly opposing the offensive. Israel disputes allegations of widespread starvation. An Israel Defense Forces review released this week said it could verify only “a handful” of malnutrition deaths and found “no signs of a widespread famine phenomenon,” echoing remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Hamas is diverting aid. Hamas dismissed the Israeli findings as an attempt to conceal a “systematic famine” policy and accused Netanyahu of using hunger as a tool of displacement. Local and international health agencies present a darker picture. The Gaza Health Ministry reports 227 hunger-related deaths, including 103 children, while the World Health Organization counts 148 such fatalities since January and warns that thousands of children suffer acute malnutrition. Although Israel introduced limited daily pauses and designated corridors for aid convoys last month, the 24 ministers said those measures have not stemmed the deterioration and urged “immediate, permanent and concrete” steps to allow large-scale humanitarian relief.