THE European Commission has signed contracts amounting to 81 million euros, out of a total of 125 million euros of funds humanitarian aid, and works on their disbursement to partner humanitarian organizations.

So far the EU has organized 41 flights humanitarian aid to send 1,800 tons of aid to the Palestinians through Egypt, while exploring other means of delivering vital supplies, including by sea or airdrop, in collaboration with its humanitarian partners.

At the same time, the Commissioner for Crisis Management Mr. Yanes Lenarcic is today in Israel completing his tour of the Middle East, after visiting the West Bank and Jordan yesterday. The purpose of the visit is to confirm that the EU is committed to mobilizing every means to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in need.

In Israel, the Commissioner met with the Israeli Foreign Minister and a representative of the Israeli agency COGAT (Coordination of Governmental Functions in the Territories) and made the EU’s clear call for the protection of civilians, unhindered and safe access of humanitarian aid throughout the Strip of Gaza, while at the same time repeating the EU’s call for the release of all hostages.

Today, the Commissioner visited the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, to underline the vital importance of allowing unimpeded and safe humanitarian access to all crossing points, as well as the opening of new crossing points and in northern Gaza. The Commissioner also visited the Nir Oz kibbutz, one of the many targets of the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October.

Lena Flitzani