Finland reiterates need for ceasefire in Gaza

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Saturday expressed concern over the Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire.

“The restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance to Gaza create scarcity, hunger and disease, but also a level of desperation that brings about violence. An agreement on a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of the hostages is needed now,” Valtonen wrote in a post in her social media platform X on Saturday evening.

The Foreign Minister also referred to the statement issued by the European union on Saturday, which termed the firing by Israeli soldiers on Thursday against civilians trying to access foodstuff as unjustifiable.

“We request an impartial international investigation on this tragic event allowing for a clear picture of the events and responsibilities. In any case, it is Israel's responsibility to comply with the rules of international law and to protect the distribution of humanitarian aid to civilian populations,” said the statement by the High Representative on Palestinians citizens killed during a transfer of aid supplies.

More than a hundred civilians were killed and many other wounded when desperately trying to get food from a convoy, many of them victims of the Israeli army fire during the ensuing stampede, said the statement.

“The responsibility for this incident lays on the restrictions imposed by the Israeli army and obstructions by violent extremist to the supply of humanitarian aid,” the statement added.

This very serious incident reveals that the restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance contribute to create scarcity, hunger and disease, but also a level of desperation that brings about violence, it said.

To read the EU statement click here.

Earlier on February 12, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen expressed concern over the Israeli attacks in Rafah and called for an immediate ceasefire.