BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union renewed an urgent call on Wednesday for Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid to reach those in need, and warned against Israel’s planned new aid delivery mechanism.

Israel has blockaded all entrances to the Gaza Strip since March. While pummeling the strip with airstrikes, it has banned any food, water, shelter or medication from entering the Palestinian territory,

The United Nations and its partners have condemned the proposals by Israel, which has been barring deliveries of food and medicine for months.