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EU to send crisis aid to victims of invasion
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2009, Monday
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THE European Union, responding to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, said yesterday that it would provide 3 million euro (US$4.6 million) in emergency aid for Palestinians living there.
The EU listed food, emergency shelter items and medical supplies as urgent articles to be provided through the United Nations.
"The aid will be deployed as rapidly as possible," its statement said.
Britain and France, meanwhile, warned that Israel's ground offensive marked a dangerous escalation of the conflict.
The Czech Republic, which took over the 27-nation EU's presidency on January 1, called on Israel to allow humanitarian relief aid into Gaza.
In Prague, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg was preparing to leave later in the day for the Middle East to lead an EU diplomatic push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The delegation included EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the foreign ministers of France and Sweden.
France's Foreign Ministry said the ground offensive in Gaza was a "dangerous military escalation" which complicated international efforts to get a permanent cease-fire. It also condemned Hamas rocket attacks.
In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the international community should press for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Brown said the escalation of the conflict marked "a very dangerous moment." Palestinians urgently needed humanitarian aid, he said, and he called on Hamas to end rocket attacks.
EU Development Affairs Commissioner Louis Michel said the situation for Gaza's population was becoming more critical.
The EU listed food, emergency shelter items and medical supplies as urgent articles to be provided through the United Nations.
"The aid will be deployed as rapidly as possible," its statement said.
Britain and France, meanwhile, warned that Israel's ground offensive marked a dangerous escalation of the conflict.
The Czech Republic, which took over the 27-nation EU's presidency on January 1, called on Israel to allow humanitarian relief aid into Gaza.
In Prague, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg was preparing to leave later in the day for the Middle East to lead an EU diplomatic push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The delegation included EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the foreign ministers of France and Sweden.
France's Foreign Ministry said the ground offensive in Gaza was a "dangerous military escalation" which complicated international efforts to get a permanent cease-fire. It also condemned Hamas rocket attacks.
In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the international community should press for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Brown said the escalation of the conflict marked "a very dangerous moment." Palestinians urgently needed humanitarian aid, he said, and he called on Hamas to end rocket attacks.
EU Development Affairs Commissioner Louis Michel said the situation for Gaza's population was becoming more critical.
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