European Union Demands Immediate Humanitarian Aid Access for Gaza Following Severe Flooding

The European Union has called on Israel to provide immediate and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Gaza following devastating floods. On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the European Union demanded that Israel grant immediate and unimpeded access for aid groups to Gaza and requested that Israel reopen all Gaza border crossings. The demand comes as heavy rainfall in the Gaza Strip has flooded tens of thousands of tents used by displaced persons. According to Palestinian reports, five people died due to the floods.

Military Strikes and Casualties

Violence in the region has continued despite existing agreements. On Saturday, November 7, 2026, an Israeli drone strike killed two Palestinians walking on a street in Jabaliya, on the northern edge of Gaza City. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, reported the drone strike casualties. The Israeli military stated the drone strike targeted two Hamas fighters in the Jabaliya area, though the strike resulted in the deaths of Palestinians walking on a street.

A separate incident occurred on Thursday when an Israeli airstrike killed eleven people. This strike included six deaths at a hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military stated the Thursday airstrike targeted a high-ranking Hamas terrorist and other terrorists from the military wing of Hamas. The Israeli military also claimed Hamas established a command center on the hospital grounds.

Humanitarian Crisis and Context

The humanitarian situation remains critical as near-daily Israeli fire and airstrikes have continued in Gaza for more than a year since Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal. Since that ceasefire was reached, at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed. The European Union has called for sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance and early recovery support in Gaza to address the needs of the population.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, emphasized the necessity of international obligations. Kaja Kallas stated that Israel must facilitate the work of the UN and humanitarian organizations and fulfill its obligations under international law. The call for aid access aims to address the immediate needs of displaced persons whose living conditions have been worsened by the recent flooding and ongoing military activity.

Glossary

• Gaza Strip — The Gaza Strip is a territory where millions of Muslims are experiencing hunger, expulsion, and killing. It is a location of ongoing conflict.
• Jabaliya — Jabaliya is a location containing a camp and a market. It is one of the most populated areas of Jabaliya.
• Gaza City — Gaza City is a city that has been encircled by Israeli troops and tanks. It contains various locations such as the Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Quds Hospital.
• Shifa Hospital — Al-Shifa Hospital is the largest medical complex and central hospital in the Gaza Strip. It is located in the northern Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.