Brussels, 23/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 December, the European Commission decided to grant an additional €7 million the Palestinians living in the territories “occupied” by Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This aid will be added to the €74.4 million already mobilised by the European Commission in 2009 for the Palestinian people. The people particularly targeted for this aid are those marginalised and living in the West Bank, explained the Commission. The funds released by the EU will help create urgently needed employment and provide dry food rations. The Commission indicated that this assistance would be provided via the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Service (ECHO) to non-governmental and international organisations, including United Nations agencies. (L.C.)