Details of the deal remain unclear, but EU officials have rejected any cooperation with the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund over ethical and safety concerns. Opening more border crossings and allowing more aid trucks into Gaza is the priority, but officials say eventually they’d like to set up a monitoring station at Kerem Shalom crossing.

More than 1,000 people have been killed while trying to access humanitarian aid in Gaza since the end of May, according to the UN – one of the grim figures that are fuelling mounting European pressure on Israel over its ongoing blockade and severe aid restrictions.