EU says Israel has agreed to 'expand' Gaza aid access
"Today, we reached an agreement with Israel to expand humanitarian access to Gaza," Kaja Kallas wrote on X.
"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."
Gaza's two million residents are facing dire humanitarian conditions as Israel has severely limited the entry of aid during its devastating war with Hamas.
Ms Kallas said the measures agreed on by Israel"are or will be implemented in the coming days, with the common understanding that aid at scale must be delivered directly to the population".
She said the steps included a "substantial increase of daily trucks for food and non-food items" driving into Gaza, the opening of several more crossing points in northern and southern areas, and the reopening of routes from Jordan and Egypt.
"The EU stands ready to co-ordinate with all relevant humanitarian stakeholders, UN agencies and NGOs on the ground, to ensure swift implementation of those urgent steps," she said.
The move comes as Israel and Hamas continue to haggle over the details of a US-backed ceasefire deal to halt the war.
The EU has been considering taking measures against Israel after finding it in breach of a co-operation deal between the two sides because of its actions in Gaza.
But the 27-nation bloc has struggled to find consensus on what steps to take, as it is divided between staunch supporters of Israel and countries backing the Palestinians.
Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 57,680 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.
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Middle East Eye
3 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
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Middle East Eye
3 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
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In 2023, Najla al-Mangoush, then foreign minister under Dbeibah, secretly met Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Italy. The revelation sparked outrage in Libya, resulting in angry protests and her suspension. In a later interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Mangoush claimed she had attended the meeting on direct orders from Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and that it was coordinated between his government and Israel. Arabic Post later reported that Ibrahim Dbeibah had orchestrated the meeting, citing unnamed sources. Middle East Eye reached out to the prime minister's office and the GNU for comment but did not receive a response by time of publication.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Sheikh Abdullah sets out UAE's vision as ‘beacon of compassion' on World Humanitarian Day
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