Trending 
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Wednesday that Brussels has offered to assist Israel with the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, despite growing concerns that the ongoing blockade could lead to a severe humanitarian disaster. The proposal comes as the Netherlands renewed its call for a reassessment of the EU’s cooperation agreement with Israel, in light of the worsening situation in the besieged territory.
Kallas revealed that she discussed the idea during a phone conversation on Tuesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. She explained to reporters at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Warsaw that the offer was made in response to Israel’s distrust of other organisations operating in Gaza. “If they don’t trust the other actors there, I offered the European Union’s help to distribute humanitarian aid,” she stated.
United Nations agencies have issued repeated warnings about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which have been exacerbated by an Israeli blockade on all aid since early March. In April, the World Food Programme reported that it had exhausted all its food supplies in the territory, underscoring the urgent need for external support.
Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes in Gaza on March 18, breaking a two-month ceasefire agreement. On Sunday, Israel’s security cabinet approved a new plan that includes intensifying military actions and the possible displacement of the majority of Gaza’s population.
In response to the escalating Israeli airstrikes and killings of Palestinian civilians, the Netherlands urged a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, a move that echoes previous appeals from Spain and Ireland, who last year pushed for the suspension of the deal over Israeli human rights violations in Gaza. The EU’s 27 member states remain divided on their approach to Israel and the conflict.
Kallas confirmed that EU foreign ministers would examine the association agreement and the broader humanitarian crisis during their meeting. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot voiced strong concern, calling for immediate EU action. “The people of Gaza urgently need humanitarian support. Women and children are starving,” he said. “It’s time for the European Union and the whole international community to wake up.”
