Progress and Challenges in Gaza
Israel has taken several notable steps to improve conditions in Gaza, including resuming fuel deliveries. However, the humanitarian situation remains extremely severe, with the scale of destruction described as unprecedented. This assessment comes from a confidential report obtained by Euronews and shared by the EU’s External Action Service with member states.
The report serves as a regular update for EU diplomats, detailing the progress made by Israel in implementing a deal reached with the European Union less than a month ago. The agreement aimed to enhance access to humanitarian aid in Gaza. At the time, the EU announced that it had secured “significant steps,” such as a substantial increase in daily food deliveries, the opening of additional crossing points, the reopening of bakeries and public kitchens, and the protection of aid workers.
These efforts were the result of persistent engagement by the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, and Christophe Bigot, the EU's Special Envoy to the Middle East, who worked to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Despite these commitments, the document highlights that few of the agreed measures have been implemented effectively. “Significant obstructive factors continue to undermine humanitarian operations and aid delivery to Gaza,” the report states. It cites issues such as looting and casualties at aid distribution points, airstrikes affecting UN and NGO facilities, and the targeting of aid staff. Additionally, Israel has reportedly attempted to shorten the re-registration deadlines for international NGOs to just seven days.
During the period of 30-31 July, 105 Palestinians were reportedly killed and at least 680 injured in areas including Zikim, Morage, and Middle Gaza, according to the report.
On the positive side, the report notes the resumption of fuel deliveries, the reopening of the Egyptian and Jordanian routes, the opening of the Zikim crossing point in the north, and the repair of some essential infrastructure. It also mentions an upward trend in the number of daily trucks entering Gaza.
“The volume of fuel currently entering Gaza is enough to sustain critical life-saving operations but not sufficient to allow all humanitarian programs to run,” the report says, noting an average of 125,000 liters of fuel per day. Before July, fuel had not been allowed into Gaza for more than three months.
Earlier this week, COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for coordinating aid to Gaza, announced a “gradual and controlled renewal of the entry of goods through the private sector in Gaza.”
This report comes amid growing global criticism of Israel for allowing starvation in the besieged strip and stalled talks between Hamas and Israel. The EU itself is struggling to respond to the current situation in Gaza.
Germany and Italy have been hesitant to agree on any sanctions against Israel, including the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement or the partial suspension of the Horizon Europe fund.
If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms plans to take over the Gaza Strip during a security cabinet meeting later today, the humanitarian deal brokered by the EU and Israel might become obsolete.
On Wednesday, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera urged countries that have previously opposed sanctions against Israel to consider “constructive abstention” in future votes, including on Horizon or the suspension of the association agreement.
“The situation of famine in Gaza is deeply concerning, and we believe it is time to overcome the current paralysis,” said Ribera’s spokesperson, speaking to Euronews.
“Rather than focusing on institutional weakness… Can we find common ground? Is a kind of ‘constructive abstention’ possible?”