EC: Aid must reach those in need in Gaza Strip

BRUSSELS, May 28 (KUNA) -- President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that the situation in the Gaza Strip is intolerable.
"Humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need-at once, and at scale," she stressed in a post on X following her meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
On her talks with Sanchez, the EC president said, "We discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. I reiterated the EU's strong call for Israel to lift the blockade (on Gaza). "We also talked about the EU-Jordan Partnership and the situation in Syria." On another note, von der Leyen praised Spain's commitment to increasing its defense spending.
She emphasized that the upcoming long-term EU defense budget will play a pivotal role in enhancing the security of the European continent, alongside contributions from Member States and the private sector.
She described the meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister as "good" noting that it addressed ways to strengthen European cooperation in the face of growing global challenges.
For his part, the Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez urged the European Commission to take urgent action to stop what he described as the "illegal invasion" being carried out by the Israeli occupation government in Gaza.
He called on the EU to increase diplomatic pressure, suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, and impose sanctions. (end) arn.gb