The important steps have been agreed to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip after decisions by the Israeli cabinet and constructive dialogue between the EU and Israel, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.
“These measures are already being implemented or will be implemented in the coming days. There is a common understanding that large-scale assistance must be delivered directly to the population and that further measures will be taken to prevent the diversion of aid to Hamas,” Kallas said in a statement.
The document states that these steps include, among other things, “a significant increase in the number of trucks carrying food and non-food items entering Gaza daily, the opening of several new checkpoints in both the northern and southern areas, the resumption of Jordanian and Egyptian humanitarian delivery routes, ensuring the distribution of food through bakeries and public kitchens throughout the Gaza Strip.”
The document also enacts the resumption of fuel supplies to humanitarian organisations, the protection of humanitarian workers, repairs and assistance with work on vital infrastructure, such as the restoration of power to a desalination plant.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs noted that the European Union stands ready to coordinate its steps with all humanitarian actors, UN agencies and NGOs on the ground to ensure the swift implementation of these urgent measures.
“The EU reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and supports the ongoing mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States of America,” the statement said.
