Europe: Israel must open the crossings for aid quickly and completely

The European Commission said on Friday that Israel’s decision to open crossings for aid in the Gaza Strip should be implemented “quickly and fully”.

The commission also reiterated its call for the protection of civilians and aid workers and “the immediate possibility of a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza”.

The European Union will continue to work intensively with regional and global partners, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to increase the delivery of aid to Gaza by land, air and sea, the Commission said. The organization announced that it has carried out 44 flights that have so far transported almost 2,000 tons of aid to Gaza through the EU’s humanitarian airlift operation.

German Foreign Minister Analena Baerbock said on Friday that Israeli authorities have “no more excuses” to prevent humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip after the opening of the Erez border crossing in northern Gaza.

Earlier, the Israeli media reported that the country’s security cabinet has agreed to open the border crossing of Eriz and Ashdod port to send humanitarian aid, which was welcomed.