EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell delivers a speech on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip on September 9, 2024. Photo: AFP
Speaking in a press conference in the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, Borrell described the situation in Gaza as a man-made crisis and must be addressed through political solutions.
He criticized Israel for intentionally blocking some food aid to the Gaza Strip by claiming that they are "luxurious items."
There is no justification for the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the strip, added Borrell.
The EU foreign plicy chief outlined the EU's ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the strip.
He also reiterated the EU's call for a ceasefire in the war.
In addition, Borrell expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government for its contributions and cooperation with various organisations to help Palestinians.
During his visit, Borrell also met with representatives of international relief agencies at the Rafah crossing.
Egypt had facilitated the entry of international humanitarian aid to 2.3 million Palestinians since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on 7 October, mainly through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the strip as well as Karm Abu Salem between Egypt, Gaza, and Israel.
However, in early May, Israeli forces attacked and closed the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing thus preventing hundreds of aid trucks from reaching a near-starving population.
Since then, Israel has allowed limited amound of food and medicine through Karm Abu Salem crossing.
On Monday, the World Food Programme reported that 2.2 million people in Gaza are in desperate need of humanitarian aid after 11 months of war.
Cairo has repeatedly called on the international community to pressure Tel Aviv to open Rafah and all crossings with Gaza for the entry of aid into the strip.
Earlier Monday, the EU official met with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo, where they discussed Egypt's intensive efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Borrell will be heading to Lebanon Wednesday.
He is set to meet Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun to discuss escalating tensions in the region.
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