Lifeline for Hamas? Israel and EU Reach Agreement on Gaza Aid

Just days before the European Union was expected to impose sanctions on Israel, a new agreement was reached between Israeli officials and the EU regarding a revised mechanism for humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza. The deal, announced Thursday by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, aims to “significantly improve humanitarian conditions” in the Strip.

Kallas stated that the understandings were the result of recent Israeli cabinet decisions and what she described as “constructive dialogue” between Jerusalem and Brussels. Under the terms of the agreement, Israel has committed to increasing the volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. This includes an expanded number of aid trucks per day, the opening of new crossing points in both northern and southern Gaza, and the reactivation of previously dormant aid routes through Jordan and Egypt.

Fuel deliveries for humanitarian infrastructure will resume until operational levels are restored. Food distribution will be allowed through designated bakeries and community kitchens, and vital infrastructure repairs will be restarted, including restoring electricity to Gaza’s main desalination facility. The EU has committed to coordinating these measures with UN agencies, NGOs, and other relevant actors to ensure that the aid reaches its intended civilian recipients.

Alongside the aid announcement, Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s political stance, calling once again for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and support for mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

The move has drawn sharp reactions from Israeli critics, who warn that increasing humanitarian access without firm guarantees may serve to stabilize Hamas’s control over Gaza. While Israel has emphasized mechanisms to prevent aid diversion, skepticism remains over whether the EU and UN can enforce such safeguards on the ground.