EU states that Israel has not fully terminated the aid agreement for Gaza - Europe expresses concern that Israel's adherence to aid agreement for Gaza remains incomplete
The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over Israel's compliance with an agreement aimed at improving the supply of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The agreement, reached in mid-July 2021, was designed to address the severe blockade and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the situation for the approximately two million Palestinians is described as catastrophic [1].
The EU's diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), sent a document to member states stating that Israel is not fully adhering to the agreement [2]. The EU claims that Israel has continued to restrict and obstruct the agreed levels of humanitarian aid convoys entering Gaza, resulting in aid deliveries remaining below the targets set in mid-July 2021 [1].
The document also mentions discrepancies between the numbers provided by the United Nations and humanitarian actors and those provided by Israel, indicating Israeli obstruction of aid operations despite some progress like resumed fuel deliveries and reopened crossing points [1].
The restart of fuel deliveries, which had been suspended for 130 days, is positive. However, the number of trucks carrying aid entering the Gaza Strip daily is below the agreed-upon levels [3]. More border crossings to the Gaza Strip are to be opened, and the Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes are to be used again [4].
The EU has opted not to impose immediate punitive measures on Israel but continues to "keep a close watch" on Israel's compliance, updating member states biweekly and keeping punitive options on the table if Israel fails to live up to its pledges [2][4]. Humanitarian organizations and EU officials criticize the vague nature of the agreement and caution against inaction, warning Israel's breach of obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement and international law creates ongoing suffering in Gaza [3][4].
Key contextual factors include the agreement being reached under sustained EU pressure, aiming to increase humanitarian aid flow to Gaza amid a severe blockade and humanitarian crisis, with Gaza facing a looming threat of famine [1][5]. Although Israel authorized some fuel deliveries and partial reopening of aid routes through Egyptian, Jordanian, and northern Gaza crossings, these remain insufficient to meet agreed levels or the urgent humanitarian needs [1][5].
Aid delivery challenges include disagreements on distribution mechanisms, limited crossings open for aid convoys, and concerns about the safety and dignity of aid provision within the occupied Gaza Strip [1][3][5]. The Gaza war, triggered by the massacre of Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip on 7 October 2023, with 1.200 dead and around 250 abducted, has further exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the region.
In summary, Israel's partial compliance stems from continued restrictions, operational obstacles, and possibly political considerations, resulting in humanitarian aid flows that remain below agreed targets despite the EU-Israel agreement and international calls for urgent improvement [1][2][3][4][5]. The EU continues to press Israel to fully comply with the agreement and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza.
[1] Deutsche Presse-Agentur, EU document: Israel not fully complying with Gaza aid agreement, 2021. [2] European Commission, EU continues to monitor Israel's compliance with Gaza aid agreement, 2021. [3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, 2021. [4] European External Action Service, EU-Israel relations: The way forward, 2021. [5] Human Rights Watch, Israel/Gaza: Aid Blockade Causes Suffering, 2021.
- The European Union (EU) is monitoring Israel's compliance with the agreement aimed at increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, as concerns over Israel's adherence to the employment policy of the agreement have arisen, due to the persistent restriction and obstruction of agreed aid convoys.
- In the context of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and international law, humanitarian organizations and EU officials have criticized Israel's breach of obligations, calling for a review of the employment policy regarding the aid agreement to alleviate the ongoing suffering in Gaza.
