The European Union announces an agreement with Israel to extend humanitarian aid in the enclave

The European Union (EU) reached an agreement with Israel to extend humanitarian aid to Gaza, announced, Thursday, July 10, the head of European diplomacy. “This agreement means that more crossing points will be open, that more aid and food trucks will enter”in the Palestinian enclave, assured Kaja Kallas on X.

“We are counting on Israel to implement all agreed measures”she added, adding that they would come into force “In the coming days”. The agreement also means that “Vital infrastructure will be repaired and that humanitarian workers will be protected”explained Mr.^me Kallas. Concretely, the agreement provides for a “Substantial increase in the number of trucks carrying daily food and non -food products entering Gaza”as well as the opening of “New crossing points” North and south of the Gaza Strip, according to a press release. The reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian aid route and the “Possibility of distributing food products through bakeries and public kitchens throughout the Gaza Strip”are planned, according to this text. Fuel deliveries for the benefit of humanitarian organizations will also be included, “Up to an operational level”.

A report by the European Commission, presented at the end of June to the Ministers of European Foreign Affairs, believes that Israel violated article 2 of its association agreement with the European Union in matters of respect for human rights. Some European countries, of which Spain, therefore demand a suspension of this agreement, at least in part, but others oppose it. European leaders, gathered at the end of June at the top, had called their ministers to “Continue discussions for follow -up”more “Taking into account the evolution of the situation on the ground”. The agreement concluded with Israel on humanitarian aid, and announced Thursday by M^me Kallas, should allow European countries closest to Israel to repel any discussion on possible sanctions.

More than 50 dead Thursday

The Palestinian territory, devastated by more than twenty -one months of war, is in the grip of a serious humanitarian crisis, while bombings continue. Just Thursday, at least 52 Palestinians died in Israeli bombings and fire, announced the civil defense of the Gaza Strip, by the voice of one of its officials, Mohammad al-Mughayyir, at Agency France-Presse (AFP).

According to him, 17 people, including eight children, were notably killed “Following Israeli air strikes targeting a gathering of citizens in front of a medical center in the city of Deir al-Balah, in the center of the Gaza Strip”. The other strikes and deadly events affected the center and the south of the Palestinian territory overnight. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army said it was going to learn.

Since the start of the war, more than 57,680 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed in the Israeli military reprisal campaign, according to data from the Ministry of Health, administered by Hamas, deemed reliable by the UN.

Negotiations continue in Doha

At the same time, indirect negotiations relaunched between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha (Qatar). The Palestinian Islamist movement said on Wednesday evening that it had agreed to release ten hostages, saying wanting to “Overcoming obstacles” in order to achieve a truce agreement. Out of 251 people kidnapped in Israel during the attack on October 7, 49 are still retained in Gaza, 22 of whom are still alive, according to the Israeli army.

On the sidelines of a meeting of the countries of Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, the head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio, showed a cautious optimism on the conclusion of a ceasefire. “We are hopeful. I mean that in the end, we hope they will go to local talks ”he told the press. However, he warned: “We have already seen negotiations fail at this stage of the talks. »» “We also recognize that there are still challenges to take up”he added. He notably quoted “Hamas’ refusal to disarm, which would end this conflict immediately”.

US President Donald Trump already told Fox Business Network on Tuesday after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyah on Monday and Tuesday in Washington: “Yes, I think we get closer to an agreement. I think there is a good chance that we will obtain it. »» The Republican press Benyamin Netanyahu, who is still in the United States, to reach an agreement to end the war.

For the Israeli chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, it is the army operations that move the lines. “We have seriously weakened the military and government capacities of Hamas”he said on television: “Thanks to the operational power, the conditions were created to advance towards a hostage liberation agreement. »»