EU says all options on table if Israel does not deliver on improving Gaza aid

Israel has made some efforts towards improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza, but the situation remains dire, an European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.

He added that the EU is assessing the situation and that all options remain on the table if Israel does not deliver on an agreement made with the EU earlier this month about improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

This agreement includes the substantial increase of daily trucks for food and non- food items to enter Gaza, the opening of several other crossing points in both the northern and southern areas, and the reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes.

Israel’s minister of strategic affairs arrives in Paris ahead of talks

Israel’s minister of strategic affairs is in Paris on Thursday ahead of nuclear talks between European powers and Iran on Friday in Istanbul, said four sources, including a source close to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Two of the sources said Ron Dermer would discuss those upcoming talks and Iran’s nuclear programme with officials in the French capital.

Senior diplomats from France and Germany will hold the direct face to face talks with Iran since Israel and the United States struck Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.

A senior Israeli official was quoted by local media as saying the new text of Hamas’s revised response to a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal was something Israel could work with.

However, Israel’s Channel 12 said a rapid deal was not within reach, with gaps remaining between the two sides, including over where the Israeli military should withdraw to during any truce.

A Palestinian official close to the talks told Reuters the latest Hamas position was “flexible, positive and took into consideration the growing suffering in Gaza and the need to stop the starvation”.

International news agencies Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press (AP) and Reuters as well as the BBC called on Israel on Thursday to allow journalists in and out of Gaza which is subject to a strict blockade.

“We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families,” the media groups said in a joint statement, adding: “We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza.”