The Commission has contracted €81 million out of the overall humanitarian aid allocation of €125 million and is working on its disbursement to humanitarian partner organizations.
The EU has to date organized 41 air bridge flights to deliver over 1800 tonnes of aid to Palestinians via Egypt and is exploring further means of delivering lifesaving supplies.
This comes as Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič is in Israel to conclude his visit to the Middle East, after visiting the West Bank and Jordan. The objective of the visit is to reiterate the EU’s commitment to mobilizing all possible means to provide humanitarian aid for Palestinians in need.
In Israel, the Commissioner met with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and shared the EU’s unequivocal call for the protection of civilians, unhindered and safe access to humanitarian aid into and across Gaza, whilst also reiterating the EU’s request for the release of all hostages. He also met with the EU’s humanitarian partners on the ground.
The Commissioner has visited Kerem Shalom, the Israeli border crossing with the Gaza Strip, to emphasize the vital importance of allowing unimpeded and safe humanitarian access through all crossing points, while opening additional ones, including to the north of Gaza. The Commissioner has also visited the Nir Oz kibbutz, one of the multiple sites targeted by the heinous 7 October terrorist attacks by Hamas.
I Jordan, the Commissioner Lenarčič met with the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and humanitarian partner organizations. He also visited a UN-led girl’s school in the Jalazone refugee camp in the West Bank and met with the caretaker representatives of the Palestinian National Authority.
See also: 🔴 LIVE UPDATES | Humanitarian response to Gaza crisis
