The European Union Commission on Wednesday, November 22, said it will use the four-day truce in Gaza Strip to step up its humanitarian aid efforts.
“The European Commission will do its utmost to use this pause for a humanitarian surge to Gaza. I have asked Commissioner Janez Lenarcic to upscale further shipments to Gaza as quickly as possible to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
“I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on the release of the 50 hostages and on a pause in hostilities,” Leyen added.
She expressed her gratitude to those who worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels to mediate the humanitarian pause deal in Gaza.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israel and Palestinian group Hamas have announced a truce-for-hostage deal and a humanitarian pause, expected to be implemented from Thursday, November 23.
Under the Qatar-brokered deal, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
The deal includes a four-day pause in fighting, entry of 300 humanitarian aid trucks, extension of pause, and potential release of more children and women.
