EU prioritizes urgent action to address "catastrophic" situation in Gaza

BRUSSELS, July 15 (KUNA) -- European Union Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday, that improving the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in Gaza remains an urgent priority for the EU member states. "The situation is still very, very bad in Gaza, so as long as it hasn't really improved, then we haven't all done enough" Kallas said to reporters ahead of an EU Foreign affairs Council meeting. Pointing to the "catastrophic" situation on the ground, she noted that a lack of ceasefire makes it harder to provide humanitarian aid.
"We have reached a common understanding with Israel to really improve the situation on the ground. But it's not about the paper but actually the implementation of the paper. So we see some positive signs," she added.
She voiced hope in some signs of progress, including access through border crossing, water availability, and rehabilitation of electricity lines, however she stressed that more is needed to improve the living condition of the people. Adding that she had presented "options paper" to the EU member states and that "it's up to the member states what they want to do with this." Kallas previously submitted a proposal outlining ten potential measures the EU could take in response to calls by several member states to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement over human rights violations in Gaza.
The proposed steps, discussed by EU officials, range from a full suspension of the agreement to limiting trade ties, imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers, halting arms exports, and suspending visa-free travel. (end) arn.sar