* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Since the current cycle of violence between Israel and Gaza started on July 8, civilians on both sides are caught under fire, including women and children. More than two hundred people have been killed and nearly one thousand six hundred injured.
The European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, called for the protection of both Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations. She welcomed the humanitarian pause which came into effect between Israel and Gaza for a few hours today. She further called both sides to respect the international humanitarian law and distinguish between civilians and combatants.
"The price for so many people is too high to bear; it is time for leadership to serve the rights of all people to live in dignity and safety" she stated.
Given the current situation, the EU ongoing assistance to Gaza is being redirected to respond to the most urgent needs, including food, shelter and health and the repair of water and sanitation infrastructure.
