EU Urges Israel to Reopen Gaza Crossings as Winter Flooding Worsens

The European Union urged Israel on Saturday to reopen all Gaza border crossings and allow immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access as severe flooding and winter weather worsened conditions for civilians. The statement was issued by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on behalf of the bloc. The EU called for sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early-recovery support at scale, and urged Israel to enable the work of the United Nations, its agencies and humanitarian organizations. It said aid must serve peaceful purposes and must not be diverted by armed groups. Calling for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, it sought permanent disarmament of Hamas and other non-state armed groups, Israeli withdrawal and a civilian transition. The statement said: “Hamas should not have any role in the future governance of Gaza.” In a separate statement on Friday, the IDF said more than 93,000 tents and more than 8,600 trucks carrying winter supplies had entered Gaza since winter preparations began. It said thousands of tents and hundreds of trucks had entered during the preceding week, alongside the entry of 16 sewage vacuum trucks and repairs to sewage, drainage and water infrastructure. The IDF said its winter preparations with COGAT involved coordination with the Board of Peace, the UN, international organizations and donor countries. It accused Hamas of exploiting humanitarian infrastructure and supplies, including winter equipment, and said rehabilitation could not proceed while Hamas remained armed.