The European Union is launching a humanitarian airlift operation to Egypt that will deliver goods to Gaza, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday, CNN reports.

“Following the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel and its consequences, which led to a catastrophic humanitarian situation for the people of Gaza, the EU continues to increase its emergency aid to the Palestinian people,” the European Commission said in a statement. .

EU air transport will consist of “several flights to Egypt to deliver vital goods to humanitarian organizations in Gaza,” the Commission said.

The operation begins this week with two flights carrying humanitarian cargo from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), including shelter items, medicine and hygiene kits, the EU said.

The President of the European Commission also announced this weekend that the EU is increasing its humanitarian aid to €75 million to support civilians in distress in Gaza.

The EU said that “funding will be channeled through selected EU humanitarian partners working on the ground, taking into account capacity and access”.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt is the only viable way to get people out of the enclave and get supplies there.

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