Gaza Floods: EU Urges Israel to Ensure Immediate Humanitarian Access

17:30

The European Union has urged Israel to guarantee immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip following severe flooding that has further deteriorated living conditions for thousands of displaced Palestinians.

In a statement issued on Saturday, November 14, Brussels called on Israeli authorities to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations operating across the territory, ensure the sustained delivery of essential supplies and reopen all border crossings. The EU also stressed the importance of providing the resources required to support recovery efforts.

The appeal comes as heavy rainfall, which began on November 6, has triggered widespread flooding, exposing displaced families to increasingly difficult living conditions as winter approaches.

Tens of Thousands of Families Affected

The scale of the damage has raised serious concerns among international humanitarian organizations. According to a United Nations report published on Friday, more than 40,000 shelters have reportedly sustained damage, while approximately 46,000 families have been affected by the flooding.

Many displaced Palestinians are living in temporary tents that offer limited protection against heavy rain and deteriorating weather conditions. Flooded camps and damaged shelters have added another layer of hardship to an already fragile humanitarian situation.

Relief organizations have also warned of growing public health risks. Standing water, potential contamination of sanitation networks and shortages of emergency equipment could increase the threat of disease, particularly among children, older people and other vulnerable groups.

Israel Highlights Winter Preparedness Measures

Meanwhile, Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has said that preparations were strengthened ahead of the adverse weather conditions, in coordination with international organizations.

Israeli authorities maintain that they have facilitated the entry of essential supplies, including tents, blankets and equipment intended to improve sanitary conditions for displaced populations.

They also reject accusations that restrictions have excessively obstructed humanitarian assistance, arguing that such criticism overlooks Hamas's responsibility for the situation.

International Pressure Mounts Over Humanitarian Access

The latest European appeal highlights the growing international concern over the ability of humanitarian organizations to respond effectively to emergencies in Gaza.

With thousands of shelters damaged and tens of thousands of families affected, the immediate priorities include restoring access to essential supplies, providing adequate emergency accommodation and preventing further deterioration of public health conditions.

As winter weather continues to threaten vulnerable communities, the effectiveness of relief operations will depend heavily on the availability of secure humanitarian access and the sustained delivery of assistance to those most in need.