EU commits €120m in Gaza aid amid fragile Israel truce prospects
The European Union has announced a substantial aid package of €120 million to Gaza as the region awaits the implementation of a tentative ceasefire in the long-standing conflict with Israel.

The European Union has announced a substantial aid package of €120 million to Gaza as the region awaits the implementation of a tentative ceasefire in the long-standing conflict with Israel. This move comes as Brussels expresses optimism about playing a more significant role in the region’s future stability and reconstruction efforts.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed cautious hope regarding the ceasefire and the release of hostages, stating on social media platform X, “The ceasefire and hostage release agreement offers hope the region desperately needed.” However, she underscored the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that “Gaza’s humanitarian situation remains grim.”
The truce, brokered by the United States and Qatar, faced a setback when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hesitated to endorse it, citing last-minute demands from Hamas. Netanyahu’s cabinet displayed a mix of skepticism and caution towards the agreement.
The EU’s pledged aid will address critical needs such as food, healthcare, and sanitation, increasing the total aid to the region to €450 million since 2023. This commitment includes the delivery of 3,800 tonnes of humanitarian aid via air. Anouar El Anouni, a spokesperson for the European Commission, emphasized the EU’s readiness to assist in implementing the ceasefire, highlighting the potential redeployment of a mission to the Rafah crossing with Egypt to support Palestinian border authorities, contingent on mutual agreement with Israel.
EU leaders have generally welcomed the truce. Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas hailed it as a “major, positive breakthrough,” while European Council President Antonio Costa reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to a two-state solution, despite concerns about the war’s long-term impact on peace prospects. Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the European Parliament’s socialist group, called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and announced plans to visit the region.
Despite these developments, experts point out that the EU’s role in the peace deal has been peripheral. Hugh Lovatt, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted the EU’s potential role in post-ceasefire governance and security in Gaza, urging Brussels to actively shape the region’s future.
“The EU has been on the sidelines of negotiations,” Lovatt remarked, emphasizing the significance of the EU’s involvement in shaping Gaza’s governance and relaunching broader diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieve Palestinian self-determination.
As the situation evolves, the EU’s commitment to providing aid and supporting peace initiatives remains crucial for the region’s recovery and stability.