Josep Borrell Inspects Rafah Crossing and Calls for Increased Aid to Gaza After Meeting with Sisi
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, visited the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Monday, where he called for easing the entry of more humanitarian aid into the area. During a press conference in front of the crossing, Borrell noted that the EU had made significant efforts in funding and supplies, but he expressed concern about approximately 1,400 trucks being stuck at the border.
Borrell explained that the crisis in Gaza is not natural but man-made, emphasizing that the solution lies in reaching a political agreement. His remarks came after a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, where they discussed the political and humanitarian situation in Gaza and ways to reach a ceasefire, as well as bilateral relations between Egypt and the EU.
According to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency’s spokesperson, the meeting largely focused on the situation in Gaza and the Middle East, reviewing efforts for a ceasefire, prisoner and hostage exchanges, and paving the way for a two-state solution to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Borrell also plans to visit Lebanon later in the week, amid rising concerns about the potential spread of the conflict between Israel and surrounding countries, especially as the anniversary of the beginning of the war in Gaza approaches.
