EU and Israel Agree on Deal to Increase Humanitarian Aid into Gaza Strip

The European Union and Israel have reached a deal to expand humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, which has been gripped by a 21-month war between Israel and Hamas. The agreement, announced by European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, would allow more food, fuel, and aid to enter the territory, as well as the repair of vital infrastructure and protection for aid workers. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Israel's security cabinet had voted to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but it was not immediately clear when the agreement would go into effect.

Key Takeaways:

• The deal requires the approval of E.U. foreign ministers, who are scheduled to meet on Monday, and would allow the operation to take several days to set up.
• Israel would open more crossing points, reopen aid routes from Jordan and Egypt, and allow more trucks to enter, as well as distribute more food through Gaza's network of bakeries and community kitchens.
• The agreement also makes possible the resumption of fuel deliveries for humanitarian operations, the repair of power supplies for critical infrastructure such as water desalination, and more protection for humanitarian workers.
• The E.U. Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), a monitoring body, is to be stationed at border crossings with representatives of the Palestinian Authority.
• The deal is likely to delay any E.U. decisions on punitive measures against Israel, such as suspending trade ties or imposing sanctions.
• The agreement does not depend on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but the official familiar with the E.U. talks said that the increase in aid is a positive step towards reaching a ceasefire.

Statistics:

• The war in Gaza has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
• Aid surged into Gaza during a ceasefire that began in mid-January and lasted two months, followed by a significant decline after Israel cut off aid in March.
• Current fuel stocks in Gaza are nearly depleted, putting the entire humanitarian response at risk of imminent shutdown.
• Israel has severely curtailed U.N. efforts to deliver aid, promoting instead the Trump administration-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has been criticized for its security arrangements.

Sources:

• Kaja Kallas, European Union foreign policy chief, quoted in The European Union
• Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister, quoted in The European Union
• A spokesperson for the E.U. Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), quoted in The European Union
• Eva Hrncirova, E.U. spokeswoman, quoted in The Washington Post
• A European official, quoted in The Washington Post
• Gaza health officials, quoted in The New York Times