The European Union has reached a significant agreement with Israel to increase humanitarian access to Gaza, including opening more border crossings and allowing a higher volume of aid trucks to enter the war-torn region. The announcement was made on Thursday by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, via her official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Today, we reached an agreement with Israel to expand access to humanitarian aid in Gaza,” Kallas wrote.
“The deal means more entry points, more aid, and more trucks to repair critical infrastructure and protect humanitarian workers. We count on Israel to implement every measure agreed upon.”
Dire Humanitarian Conditions
More than 2 million residents in Gaza are enduring catastrophic humanitarian conditions as Israel continues its military campaign against Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and other Western powers. Aid access has been severely limited in recent months.
Kallas clarified in a follow-up statement that the implementation of the new measures will begin in the coming days, with a strong emphasis on delivering aid directly to civilians in need.
Key Components of the Agreement:
- Increased number of aid trucks, carrying both food and non-food items into Gaza
- Reopening of additional crossing points, including corridors from Jordan and Egypt
- Support for critical infrastructure repairs and safety measures for aid workers
Political Context
This breakthrough comes at a critical juncture in Israel-Hamas negotiations, as both parties discuss terms for a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
While the EU had considered punitive measures against Israel over alleged violations of previous agreements, internal divisions among member states—some strongly supporting Israel, others backing Palestinians—have hampered unified action.
Background of the Conflict
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli border communities, killing 1,219 people, primarily civilians. In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes and military operations have killed at least 57,680 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza health officials.
