EU Commission's 'immediate priority' is delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The European Commission's immediate priority is to deliver as much humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as possible, the head of the commission said on Friday.

Speaking at a news conference at the end of the European Council summit in Brussels, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe organized 28 humanitarian flights, delivering around 1,200 tons of aid.

She added that Europe is planning "another five flights before the end of the year."

Von der Leyen also focused on the need to work on the aftermath of the conflict, and said: "There can be no peace unless there is the prospect of a political solution, both for Israelis and Palestinians and this is the two-state solution."

The head of the commission, however, underlined that "Gaza cannot be a safe haven for Hamas. Hamas cannot be in the governance structure of a Palestinian state."

She suggested a "reformed Palestinian authority" that must govern both the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in the wake of a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 18,787 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 51,000 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s health authorities.