Gaza aid suspension reaffirmed by EU commissioner after conflicting announcements

A European commissioner has doubled down on earlier comments that funding to Palestine would be suspended following a rebuttal from the European Commission, which stated that EU funding would continue to Palestinians.

Neighbourhood commissioner Olivér Várhelyi who oversees EU relations with neighbouring countries, stated he did "not see any contradiction" in his comments and those of the EU commission, adding that "to me, it's the same… there are no imminent payments", in comments made to the Financial Times.

His initial announcement, made on X, formerly Twitter, drew criticism from member states who reaffirmed their commitment to humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

In a confusing response, the EU commission later declared that "as there were no payments foreseen, there will be no suspension of payments", with the commission later adding that it would carry out a review on funding to "ensure that no EU funding indirectly enables any terrorist organization to carry out attacks against Israel". 

These concerns were shared by Várhelyi, who stated that while EU money was not directly funding Hamas, "we don't know yet what about this indirect… financing."

"We have seen many indirect ways of financing. We have tried to crack down on those related to our funds. And I hope that on the ground we have been successful," he stated.

According to the Financial Times, Várhelyi's initial comments were made with the understanding that he had the backing of the commission's executive, although a commission spokesperson denied that Várhelyi had communicated with commissioners about the statement.

His comments came following announcements that the German government was halting bilateral assistance following a review into how aid money was being used. The Austrian government also halted €19 million in development aid. 

Sweden and Denmark also said that they would suspend Palestinian development aid following the outbreak of the war.

Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant labeled Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip as "human animals" as part of his announcement of a total siege on the coastal enclave, as the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants enters its fourth day 👇

🎥: @alexander_durie pic.twitter.com/AgRQAqXa4F

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 10, 2023

The EU has pledged a total €1.18 billion in financial support for the West Bank and Gaza as part of its 2021-2024 joint programme, with €296 million being allocated in aid to the Palestinian people in the 2022 budget.

Gaza's population of 2.1 million, including 1 million children, heavily relies on international aid from programs such as the EU's.

The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, following a Hamas takeover after clashes with rival Palestinian group Fatah, which currently governs Palestinian cities in the West Bank.

The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has seen 1,055 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and over 5,180 wounded.

Israel has also confirmed that 1,200 Israelis have been killed, with many dying during the opening hours of the war following a Hamas incursion into southern Israel.