The European Union has called on Israel to grant humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip immediately and without restrictions. The appeal follows severe storms and flooding that have struck the coastal area and are further worsening the situation of the people living there.
According to the reports, the storms have continued for about a week. Displaced people, who live in tents throughout the Gaza Strip, are particularly affected. Tens of thousands of these tents have been flooded by the rain and water, leaving many families without adequate protection from the weather.
The EU's appeal is thus directed specifically at Israel as the controlling power over the access routes into Gaza. The demand is that aid shipments be able to reach those in need directly and without hindrance. Given the flooded shelters, this demand has become increasingly urgent.
No reliable information is yet available on the exact extent of the damage or possible casualty figures. The available information also does not record any response from the Israeli government to the European Union's appeal. The further development of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip therefore remains open.