"We need to act," Borrell declared ahead of his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department. "We need to clear the humanitarian access through sea, by air – that’s good. That’s not enough."

Highlighting the urgent need for land access, Borrell stressed the necessity of opening borders to alleviate the crisis, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a two-state solution endorsed by both the US and EU for lasting peace.

In response, Blinken outlined the agenda for their discussions, including support for Ukraine, addressing the Middle East and Gaza crises, Western Balkans issues, and relations with China.

The meeting follows Borrell's accusation against Israel for impeding aid delivery and using starvation as a "weapon of war" in Gaza, which he addressed during a session at the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday.

Borrell emphasized that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not a natural disaster but a man-made catastrophe, with Israel's blockade exacerbating the situation, particularly for residents of northern Gaza.

Local health authorities report devastating casualties from the conflict, with thousands killed and tens of thousands injured, predominantly women and children. The onslaught has driven a significant portion of Gaza's population into internal displacement, while infrastructure damage and shortages of essentials persist.

The UN estimates that 85% of Gaza's population faces displacement, with 60% of the enclave's infrastructure either damaged or destroyed, underscoring the dire need for immediate action to address the crisis. (ILKHA)