BRUSSELS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, has called for the opening of the border between Israel and Gaza to enable vital relief supplies to reach the people inside the Gaza Strip.

    "We know the needs are increasing all the time. The problem now is providing secure access to those who are suffering," the commissioner said in a written statement.

    He said a total of 30 million euros (around 39 million U.S. dollars) in supplies and funding from the EU are ready and waiting.

    "Give us the tools to get on with the job," he added.

    Michel stressed the need for rapid action to prevent the humanitarian position from deteriorating any further.

    "In the current situation, there is a real risk that Gaza will begin to look like a citadel under siege, where the civilian population is trapped and even basic needs cannot be met," he said.

    "Humanitarian aid is neutral. There are no grounds for a blockade of humanitarian aid. This must continue to be provided to the people in Gaza in the same way as for vulnerable groups in the West Bank -- and in other crisis zones," he added.

    The European Commission has a relief package of almost 30 million euros (around 39 million U.S. dollars) for Gaza, including 10.2 million euros (around 13 million U.S. dollars) just released from its food aid reserve for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for emergency food aid in the Gaza Strip.

    This comes from an overall humanitarian budget of 67.4 million euros (around 87.6 million U.S. dollars) for the Palestinians.