Israel has agreed to a “substantial increase” of trucks carrying humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and the opening of additional crossing points in the northern and southern areas of the Palestinian enclave, European Union officials announced Thursday.
The agreement followed what E.U. officials called a “constructive dialogue” with government officials in Jerusalem.
The E.U.’s foreign policy chief, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, said the agreement means more aid and food trucks will be able to enter Gaza, the repair of vital infrastructure, and the protection of aid workers.
“These measures are or will be implemented in the coming days, with the common understanding that aid at scale must be delivered directly to the population and that measures will continue to be taken to ensure that there is no aid diversion to Hamas,” Ms. Kallas said Thursday in a statement.
The agreement will also result in the reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes into Gaza, the distribution of food supplies through bakeries and public kitchens, and the resumption of fuel deliveries for use by humanitarian facilities, she said.
What’s more, the power supply will be restored to the vital water desalination facility in Gaza, Ms. Kallas said.
“We count on Israel to implement every measure agreed,” she said on X.
The E.U. called for an immediate ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, and the release of all remaining hostages still being held inside Gaza. It backs the current efforts of the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar as mediators.
