EU calls for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza

The European Union has urged Israel to reopen all Gaza border crossings and grant immediate, unimpeded access for aid groups to provide humanitarian relief in the territory following devastating flooding.

The EU statement, released on Saturday by the office of Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, emphasised that civilian infrastructure and medical facilities must be protected.

The call came as an Israeli drone attack killed two Palestinians in Jabaliya on Saturday, with the Israeli military stating it struck two Hamas militants.

The casualties were taken to Shifa Hospital, where the director, Mohamed Abu Selmiya, reported that several other people were wounded.

This attack followed an Israeli air strike on Thursday at the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza that killed at least six Palestinians, including a surgeon.

The EU underlines the need to respect international law, including international humanitarian law, at all times. This includes the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as medical personnel and facilities. The recent airstrike on the Nasser Hospital is deeply alarming.

Damage from Israeli attacks on Gaza’s infrastructure has worsened floods caused by heavy rain, which have submerged large areas of the enclave.

Gaza’s media office reported that more than 700km of Gaza’s sewage network has been destroyed, while UNICEF said heavy rain has directly affected at least 106,000 people.

Thousands of tents for displaced Palestinians have been submerged and latrines are overflowing into camps.

In response, the EU said that “Israel must enable the work of the UN and its agencies, and humanitarian organisations including NGOs, and comply with all its obligations under international law.”

The bloc reaffirmed its commitment to the two-state solution and called for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as it sought sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance.