JAKARTA - The European Union (EU) criticized Israel's restrictions on multi-functional goods entering the Gaza Strip, Palestine, amid growing concerns over the second phase of the ceasefire mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
Speaking at an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said she saw "hundreds of trucks full of goods, essential supplies, medicines, shelters, tents, sleeping bags" waiting at the Rafah border during her visit two weeks ago.
"Too many trucks are rejected, full of items that are considered multifunctional: sleeping bags because of their green color, wheelchairs because of their wheels," Lahbib said, launching The National (16/12).
Dual-use items are considered to have both civilian and military purposes. The UN said last month, Israel had rejected more than 100 requests from aid groups to send materials including blankets, winter clothing, and equipment to operate water, sanitation and hygiene services. On the other hand, the Israeli side said this decision was made on the basis of security.
Europe has played little role in brokering the ceasefire due to foreign policy differences among the bloc's 27 member states. Nevertheless, they remain the largest humanitarian aid donors to Gaza and financial supporters of the Palestinian Authority.
Lahbib himself was not allowed into Gaza during his visit and the European Union Commission has not been allowed to reopen its office in the region which was closed after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, he said.
"It's also about traceability, transparency, because at the end of the day, this is our tax money, you know, who pays for this humanitarian aid," explained Lahbib.
"We need clarity," he added, pointing to NGOs who told him "there is no written list of what is considered dual use."
Two months since the announcement of the ceasefire, only commercial trucks are entering Gaza and aid is largely still blocked at the border by Israel.
Palestinians are still in desperate need of shelter in the winter after 16 people were killed in floods.
Meanwhile, Israel has not agreed to reopen the Rafah border crossing.
Expressing Lahbib's concerns, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said the situation was "truly horrific for thousands of civilians".
"Further assistance is needed, especially in the lead-up to the winter months," McEntee said.
Previously, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Slovenia, and Portugal wrote a letter on Sunday to the European Union's Chief External Policy Kaja Kallas, urging the bloc "to use its great influence on Israel to immediately address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza".
European Union - Israel's largest export market - is divided in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Talks on sanctions against Israel proposed by the European Commission in September were ignored the following month when a ceasefire was agreed.
"Failure to act in Gaza will have repercussions for years to come in conflicts and other humanitarian emergencies around the world," the letter said, seen by The National.
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