EU to launch humanitarian air bridge to deliver aid to Gaza

Palestinians take shelter from the Israeli bombing of the UN school in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, Monday, October 16, 2023. [Мохаммед Дахман/AP]

On Monday, the European Union said it would launch a humanitarian air bridge operation consisting of “several flights” to Egypt to deliver supplies to humanitarian organizations working in the Gaza Strip.

“The first two flights will take place this week and will deliver UNICEF humanitarian supplies, including shelter items, medicine and hygiene kits.”says the statement. EU.

Diplomatic attempts to negotiate a ceasefire to deliver aid to the besieged Gaza Strip previously failed, and Israel ordered the evacuation of villages in a strip of territory near the Lebanese border, raising fears that the war could spill over to a new front.

“Palestinians in Gaza need humanitarian aid and assistance; they cannot pay for Hamas’ barbarity.”said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference in Tirana.

Von der Leyen took part in the summit of the Berlin Process, an initiative launched by the German government to improve cooperation between the six Western Balkans countries seeking to become EU members. She noted that over the weekend the EU decided to triple the amount of humanitarian aid, exceeding 75 million euros, to support the needy civilian population of Gaza.

Israel has vowed to destroy the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip after its fighters broke through the barrier surrounding the enclave on Oct. 7 and massacred 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians, in the deadliest day in Israel’s 75-year history.

Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, subjected it to unprecedented air strikes and is expected to launch a ground offensive. Gaza authorities say at least 2,750 people have been killed there, including many civilians.

[Reuters]

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