Tel Aviv [Israel], July 27 (ANI): Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said that the government’s decision to increase humanitarian aid access into Gaza was partially driven by a desire to prevent European sanctions, The Times of Israel reported.
“Hamas wants to reach a situation where decisions are made against the State of Israel on the international stage—hoping the war will end while it continues to exist,” Cohen said in an interview with Kan’s Reshet Bet radio. He emphasized that Israel “did not fall into this trap.”
Cohen, who previously served as Israel’s foreign minister, explained that the Foreign Ministry held discussions with European counterparts, which led to several decisions aimed at avoiding sanctions. These included steps such as approving a new water pipeline into Gaza.
Earlier this month, a meeting of European Union foreign ministers stopped short of adopting punitive measures against Israel. However, they called for “more concrete steps” to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza in order to avoid further diplomatic fallout.
Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported that twelve Palestinians, including four children, were killed near an aid distribution center south of Gaza City. Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat said it had received 12 bodies and more than 100 injured individuals following what was described as an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attack near the distribution site, located along the Netzarim corridor. The center is believed to be run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. It remains unclear whether the incident involved an airstrike, artillery shelling, or small arms fire.
The IDF announced earlier on Sunday that it would implement humanitarian pauses from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in areas where Israeli ground forces are not currently operating. These areas include al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City.
In a separate development, an Israeli soldier was seriously injured on Sunday in an elevator collapse at the military’s Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv. According to the IDF, the incident is under investigation by the Military Police. The findings will be forwarded to the Military Advocate General for review. (ANI)
About The Author
