“The latest attacks by Israel on Iran, which threaten the stability of the entire region, must not make us lose sight of the fact that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached an intolerable level of severity. The killing and injuring of civilians, including those seeking humanitarian assistance, are unacceptable acts of brutality. The Council of Europe expresses its deep solidarity with all victims of this conflict”. In an appeal he made earlier today, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, calls for immediate ceasefire and full and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. “The situation in Gaza continues to raise serious concerns regarding the Israeli authorities’ compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law. Attacks on civilians – including children, aid workers and other protected persons – as well as starvation, forced displacement, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and restrictions on humanitarian access constitute serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and fundamental principles of international humanitarian and human rights law”. In addition, “the ban on international journalists in Gaza further hides the reality on the ground. Such restrictions are a direct threat to democratic security, which relies on transparency and accountability to prevent abuses and uphold the rule of law.”