France, July 10 -- As the population in Gaza faces famine, Israel has agreed to increase aid access in a deal negotiated with the European Union that would allow more food trucks to enter the territory and open some border crossings.

The EU and Israel came to an understanding that "aid at scale must be delivered directly to the population", EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said in a statementon Thursday.

EU member states have been divided over sanctions on Israel over its war in Gaza. However the bloc has used its trade ties asleverage, with France and other countries saying they wouldreview the EU-Israel Association Agreement if Israel did not allow aid into Gaza.

Israel has restricted aid since a ceasefire deal fell through in Ma...