The European Union has pledged three million euros or just over four and a half million US dollars in emergency aid to the Gaza Strip.

The EU said in a statement that food, emergency shelter items and medical supplies were urgently needed by Palestinians in Gaza and that the aid would be "deployed as rapidly as possible."

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said it was imperative to make sure that Gaza hospitals were able to function.

"It's most important that fuel, water, food, particularly wheat, in order at least to make bread, goes in there, and also that the hospitals can work."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said united, concrete action was what was most needed in the face of the current situation.

"What are we able, altogether to do? Not only us, you too. Because this is part of the future of the world. So yes, concrete action we are looking for, and we are completely prepared to do it."
The EU delegation is expected to visit the West Bank and Israel during a three-day tour of the area.