LONDON

The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday "condemned the total blockade of aid into Gaza,” and said, “Israel must fully reinstate humanitarian aid during the first phase of ceasefire.”

Kallas spoke at a news conference following the first High-Level Dialogue meeting between the EU and the Palestinian Authority.

She expressed unwavering support for the Palestinians and called for urgent humanitarian relief and long-term cooperation.

“We condemn the total blockade of aid into Gaza, and Israel must fully reinstate humanitarian aid during the first phase of the ceasefire,” Kallas said.

She confirmed that an EU-backed mission, EUBAM Rafah, had already supported the evacuation of over 4,000 people from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, many of whom required urgent medical attention.

Kallas stressed the EU’s commitment to facilitating future humanitarian deliveries and expressed support for the Palestinian Authority’s potential return to governance in Gaza and the West Bank.

The EU is "very concerned about the worsening situation," she said, citing mass displacement and limited access to essential services, including health care and education.

Kallas reiterated the EU’s firm opposition to Israel’s settlement expansion in occupied territories, including in and around East Jerusalem.

“We have imposed sanctions on extremist settlers, and I will work to seek consensus on further restrictive measures,” she added.

Calling for reinforced security cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian security forces, she emphasized that there is "no military way through this war."

“The EU firmly believes in a negotiated two-state solution. Resuming talks is the only path to ending suffering on both sides,” she said.

The EU plans to increase financial support for Palestine's recovery and the Palestinian Authority to €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion).

“We are stepping up our support to the Palestinian people. €1.6 billion until 2027 will help stabilize the West Bank and Gaza,” Kallas said.