EU urges immediate humanitarian access to Gaza after flooding and border restrictions

The European Union has called on Israel to reopen all Gaza border crossings and allow immediate, unimpeded access for humanitarian groups after flooding worsened conditions in the territory this week. In a statement released on Saturday by the office of Kaja Kallas, the EU said civilian infrastructure and medical facilities in Gaza must be protected. It also said Israel must enable the work of the UN, its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, including NGOs.

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The appeal came as heavy rain and damage to Gaza's infrastructure compounded the impact of the conflict. Local officials and the UN said flooding had submerged large areas of the enclave, while Gaza's media office reported that more than 700 kilometres of the sewage network had been destroyed. UNICEF said heavy rain had directly affected at least 106,000 people in recent days, with thousands of tents for displaced Palestinians submerged and latrines overflowing into camps.

The EU statement also referred to recent Israeli strikes in Gaza. It said the recent air strike on Nasser Medical Complex was deeply alarming, after an attack there on Thursday killed at least six Palestinians, including a surgeon, and wounded dozens. On Saturday, an Israeli drone strike in Jabaliya killed two more Palestinians, according to the director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where the casualties were taken.

The Israeli military said it had struck two Hamas militants in the area. The latest EU intervention adds to international pressure over humanitarian access in Gaza, where aid delivery has been repeatedly disrupted by fighting, damaged infrastructure and border restrictions. The bloc said Israel must comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

It also stressed the need to protect civilians, medical personnel and medical facilities, reflecting growing concern over the impact of the war on hospitals and displacement sites. The situation is unfolding against a backdrop of repeated damage to civilian infrastructure in Gaza and continuing restrictions on relief operations. The flooding has highlighted how vulnerable displaced families remain, especially those living in tents and temporary shelters.

The destruction of sewage and other basic services has also raised the risk of further public health problems if access for repairs and aid remains limited. What remains unclear is how quickly crossings could be reopened and whether the appeal will lead to any immediate change on the ground. It is also not clear how much aid can enter while the restrictions remain in place, or how long flood damage will continue to affect displaced communities.

The next developments to watch are any response from Israel, any change in access for UN agencies and aid groups, and whether humanitarian conditions worsen further after the flooding.

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