EU calls for acceleration of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza

BRUSSELS

The EU called for the acceleration of humanitarian aid entry into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday

Speaking at a panel at the Press Club Brussels, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, drew attention to the significant volume of humanitarian aid that entered Gaza since the beginning of a humanitarian pause on Nov. 24.

But he underscored that the screening process at the Rafah border crossing on the Gaza-Israeli border takes too long.

Screening capacity should be increased and more fuel should be allowed into Gaza, said Lenarcic.

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday to extend a four-day humanitarian pause in the conflict for an additional two days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed more than 15,000 victims, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.