NVJ Urges EU to Take Action Against Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
den haag, donderdag, 31 juli 2025.
The Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) has called on the European Union to take steps to end the inhumane situation in Gaza. The letter follows earlier appeals from the NVJ to draw attention to the harsh conditions under which journalists must work in the war zone. According to the NVJ, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated to such an extent, with acute famine, that immediate intervention is necessary to save lives.
NVJ Urges EU to Take Action Against Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) has called on the European Union to take steps to end the inhumane situation in Gaza. The letter follows earlier appeals from the NVJ to draw attention to the harsh conditions under which journalists must work in the war zone. According to the NVJ, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated to such an extent, with acute famine, that immediate intervention is necessary to save lives [1].
Continued Escalation of the Crisis
Since the first letter from the NVJ to Minister Veldkamp on 11 June, the situation in Gaza has further deteriorated. There is now acute famine, which has rendered local journalists unable to carry out even the most basic reporting. The situation is so dire that immediate intervention is necessary, according to the accompanying letter from the NVJ [1].
International Call for Action
Therefore, the NVJ is sending another letter, attaching the appeal from the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). This includes calls to swiftly bring people directly at risk to safety, facilitate access for foreign journalists to Gaza, protect local journalists, and initiate an international investigation into the use of starvation as a war crime [1].
Impact on Journalists and Medical Professionals
Journalist Mohammad Abu Sha’ar (36) has fainted several times during his work due to hunger and now works less because he lacks energy. Abu Sha’ar, who works for BBC, Al Jazeera, and ARM, eats only once a day and shares one kilogram of flour daily to make bread. He lives with seven family members in a tent in the overcrowded Al-Mawasi camp and is the only working member of his family [5].
Medical Emergency
Doctor Mohammad Madi (37) at Nasser Hospital in Gaza works 24-hour shifts and sometimes brings only bread to work. Madi feels helpless and cannot provide enough food for his family; his children go to sleep hungry. Médecins Sans Frontières warns that Israel is using famine as a weapon, leading to exhaustion and malnutrition among patients and healthcare workers [5].
Demands of the NVJ and EFJ
The NVJ and EFJ are urging the EU to take measures, including suspending the association agreement between the EU and Israel indefinitely. They also call for involving international organisations in providing humanitarian aid and facilitating access to Gaza for aid workers and journalists [1][5].
International Reactions and Pressure
The international community has increasingly pressured to improve the situation in Gaza. Despite calls for a humanitarian pause to deliver aid, these plans have not been consistently implemented. International organisations, including the UN, view the situation as catastrophic and call for immediate action to save lives [4].