Josep Borrell, the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, reiterated that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve lasting peace, stating the bloc is ready to offer its support. Borrell emphasized that political transition in Gaza must occur immediately once detainees are released and a ceasefire is reached.
A high-level source confirmed intensive Egyptian efforts to align perspectives towards a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, noting that negotiations between Hamas and Israel, under Egyptian sponsorship and with the participation of Qatar and the U.S., are ongoing. The Hamas delegation is meeting with Egyptian General Intelligence officials prior to the start of the quadrilateral negotiations.
The source mentioned that the proposed truce between the Palestinian factions and Israel includes a prisoner exchange deal and mechanisms for the return of displaced persons within the sector. The last hours have seen intensified Egyptian contacts to resume ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip.
Sources told “Cairo News Channel” that Cairo will host meetings to discuss ways to restore calm in the sector. They also mentioned that William Burns, the CIA Director; Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; and an Israeli delegation will participate in the Cairo negotiations regarding the ceasefire in Gaza.
The European Union (EU) has taken various stances and actions in response to the recent war in Gaza, reflecting a complex position amidst the ongoing conflict. EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, has emphasized Europe’s commitment to defending universal principles and values, stressing the necessity of a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Borrell has highlighted the importance of Europe’s role in the world, primarily based on soft power, and the EU’s efforts to prove false any accusations of double standards regarding international law between Ukraine and Israel-Palestine.
However, the EU faced internal disagreements on the call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Despite pleas from Belgium and Ireland for a unified call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the European Council ended a summit without issuing new conclusions on the conflict, instead reiterating previous declarations on Israel’s right to self-defense in line with international law. This decision came after a majority of EU member states backed a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The lack of a new EU-wide call for a ceasefire has led to criticisms of the EU’s stance, especially from member states that had expected a tougher position.
In terms of humanitarian efforts, EU leaders eventually issued a call for “humanitarian corridors and pauses” to ensure aid reaches the besieged Gaza Strip. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU would send two more flights of humanitarian cargo to the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing and sign a €40 million contract with UN agencies as part of its tripling of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The statement followed hours of debate among EU diplomats over the semantics of calling for a “humanitarian ceasefire” versus “humanitarian pauses,” reflecting the bloc’s internal divisions on how best to support Gaza while maintaining support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
