Europe’s Lifeline to Gaza: New Aid Deal Amid Rising Casualties from Israeli Strikes

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — European officials have reached an agreement with Israel to provide essential food and fuel to Gaza, amid ongoing violence. This announcement follows a devastating Israeli airstrike that tragically killed 10 children and five adults near a medical clinic.

The deal comes at a time when hopes for a ceasefire seem to be dwindling. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wrapping up his meetings in Washington. Despite the grim outlook, U.S. officials remain optimistic about restarting negotiations, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with hopes of some progress.

“We’re closer than we’ve been in quite a while, but challenges remain,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked during a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, this agreement could lead to more aid flow into Gaza, allowing for the repair of crucial infrastructure and improving conditions for aid workers. She emphasized the importance of Israel’s commitment to uphold all aspects of the deal in a recent social media post.

Despite a partial easing of restrictions in recent months, aid groups say that violence and military limitations have severely hampered their efforts to provide necessary help in Gaza, which now faces a real risk of famine—21 months into the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Kallas indicated that the deal will reopen aid corridors from Jordan and Egypt, and restart essential services like community kitchens. However, Israel has long accused Hamas of misappropriating aid, although the United Nations has found no substantial evidence to support these claims.

On the ground, the situation remains dire. Israeli airstrikes overnight killed at least 36 Palestinians, including a heartbreaking 15 individuals outside a medical clinic waiting for food and nutritional supplements. Project Hope, a humanitarian organization, has been trying to help, but many face deadly risks just by seeking assistance.

“No child waiting for food should be in danger of bombardment,” said Dr. Mithqal Abutaha from Project Hope, who described the horrific scene after the airstrike.

Another tragic event unfolded with the loss of an Israeli soldier in Khan Younis, marking one of the deadliest weeks for the Israeli military recently. With mounting casualties, public pressure is increasing on Netanyahu to seek a resolution to the conflict.

In the West Bank, violence continues to escalate too. Recent attacks have resulted in multiple fatalities, leading to an environment of fear and unrest. As tensions rise, both sides are caught in a cycle of reprisals that complicates the path to peace.

The current war began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, resulting in the loss of around 1,200 lives and the kidnapping of 251 individuals. In retaliation, Israel’s military actions have reportedly claimed over 57,000 Palestinian lives, many of which are women and children, though these numbers can vary based on reporting sources.

As the conflict evolves, experts emphasize the need for a long-term solution to address the humanitarian crisis. The dynamic political landscape, both locally and internationally, adds complexity to resolving these decades-old tensions.

For ongoing updates and detailed information about the conflict, you can refer to reports by trusted agencies like [The United Nations](https://www.un.org) and [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org). They provide insights and transparency regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the overall impact of the ongoing violence.

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International News,Food and fuel for Gaza: Europe unveils an aid deal as Israeli strike kills over 36News,Food and fuel for Gaza: Europe unveils an aid deal as Israeli strike kills over 36