Israel Will Allow More Aid Into Gaza, Officials Say
The European Union has pressured Israel in recent months to allow more food and other essential supplies to reach Palestinians in Gaza, where hunger is rampant and most are displaced by the devastating war that began almost two years ago.
A new aid distribution system, backed by Israel and the United States, began operations in late May after Israel blockaded all aid to Gaza for 80 days. The handouts have fallen far short of Gaza's needs, and have been plagued by violence and chaos.
The decision to increase aid in the coming days was first announced by Kaja Kallas, the top E.U. diplomat, in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Kuala Lumpur.
'We have achieved an agreement on very concrete terms: how many trucks will get in, how many crossings will be opened, distribution points so that people would receive help, water distribution,' she said.
The European Commission, the E.U.'s executive branch, gave additional details at a news conference on Thursday in Brussels.
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