BRUSSELS, May 19, 2018 (WAFA) - The European Commission (EC) announced on Friday a new humanitarian aid of €3 million to help civilians in need of urgent assistance in Gaza, according to a press release.

The funding will be channeled exclusively through international humanitarian EC partners to deliver health, water, and sanitation assistance to Palestinians in need of critical assistance, it said.

Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said: “The EU‘s emergency assistance will help provide basic supplies to civilians in need. For a smooth and continued delivery of humanitarian aid, it is essential that critical goods and equipment are allowed to enter Gaza in a timely manner.”

Gaza has been facing a constant deterioration in economic and living conditions due to more than a decade of tight Israeli land, sea and air siege, three Israeli wars and recently Israeli killing of over 100 people and injury of over 12,000 others since March 30, the start of the Great March of Return by Palestinians demanding return to their homes in historic Palestine and current day Israel.

Humanitarian organizations have also been demanding urgent financial support for Gaza to help it cope with the fast deterioration.

M.K.