The European Commission has announced that it will increase its humanitarian aid to Gaza by three times, providing over 75 million euros to help alleviate the current crisis.
President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres this afternoon regarding her on-going contacts with regional leaders.
“The Commission will immediately increase the current humanitarian aid envelope foreseen for Gaza by 50 million euros. This will bring the total to over 75 million euros. We will continue our close cooperation with the UN and its agencies to ensure that this aid reaches those in need in the Gaza strip. The Commission supports Israel’s right to defend itself against the Hamas terrorists, in full respect of international humanitarian law. We are working hard to ensure that innocent civilians in Gaza are provided support in this context,” the EC President said following this call.
In a statement, Commissioner Janez Lenarčič stated that the Commission is making every effort to provide humanitarian aid to the civilians in the Gaza Strip. The increased EU humanitarian assistance by three times will ensure that the civilians in Gaza have access to necessities. It is of utmost importance to guarantee humanitarian aid’s safe and unobstructed passage.