The European Union and Israel have agreed on new measures to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza, expanding crossings and food deliveries while ensuring aid goes directly to civilians, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced.
The European Union and Israel have reached a deal to expand humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced Thursday. “This deal means more crossings open, aid and food trucks entering Gaza, repair of vital infrastructure and protection of aid workers. We count on Israel to implement every measure agreed,” Kallas said.
According to Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni, the measures will be implemented in the coming days to ensure aid is delivered directly to Gaza’s local population and not diverted to militant group Hamas.
The new agreement includes an increase in daily trucks delivering food, fuel, and other supplies, the opening of several new crossings in both northern and southern Gaza, the reopening of Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes, and the distribution of food supplies through bakeries and public kitchens throughout the Gaza Strip.
Israel had previously blocked all food deliveries by international aid agencies to Gaza for 11 weeks, arguing that the aid was being seized and sold by Hamas militants, while it continued its military operations in the enclave.
After easing the blockade, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GFH), a controversial food aid organization backed by the U.S. and Israel, began operations in the area. GFH has faced criticism following reports of Palestinian civilians being shot while trying to access aid, with 170 NGOs recently calling for its closure.
The EU has clarified that GFH is “not part” of the new agreement.
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