EU crisis chief Hadja Lahbib warns Gaza aid is entering only “drop by drop” and calls for expanded Rafah access and fewer restrictions to avert catastrophe.

ISTANBUL: European Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has issued a stark warning that humanitarian aid is reaching Gaza only “drop by drop,” demanding an urgent expansion of access through the Rafah crossing.

Lahbib, speaking at the doorstep of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, called for fewer restrictions on dual-use goods and greater access for non-governmental organisations operating on the ground.

“The crossing point is open, but not enough,” she stated, highlighting the ongoing daily violence where “citizens are killed and injured every day because of the strikes.”

She stressed that the first phase of aid delivery is not fully implemented, insisting that work must be completed on this initial stage before discussing any subsequent phases.

The commissioner also underscored the severe risks faced by humanitarian staff, revealing that “so far, 600 humanitarian workers have been killed” in the conflict.

She concluded that aid operations cannot effectively alleviate the widespread suffering without “unhindered humanitarian access” to the besieged territory.

 The Sun Malaysia