The visit will take place against the background of the war in Gaza, where the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the fate of captives make an urgent ceasefire ever more critical, according to a statement released by the EU on Sunday.

Borrell will also travel to the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing for meetings with representatives of the UN agencies on the ground and of the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC).

The statement added that he would inaugurate an EU-funded project to help Gazan children and those who take care of them in Egypt.

It also pointed out that the ceasefire efforts, mediated by Egypt, the US, and Qatar, will feature high on the agenda, as will the EU’s role in alleviating human suffering in the strip.

Furthermore, Borrell will meet with other Egyptian officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty.

He will also attend a ministerial meeting of the League of Arab States in Cairo.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the EU leader will be in Lebanon, where he will meet Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun, among others.

Additionally, the EU statement noted that the five-day visit provides an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the situation in and around Gaza, where Israel has so far killed over 40,939 Palestinians, injured around 94,616, mostly women and children, and damaged infrastructure.

According to the statement, the visit will see the discussion of wider political issues with regional leaders, especially the impact of the Gaza war on neighbouring countries and their respective contributions to peace and stability efforts.

Tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border have been running high since the beginning of Israeli war on Gaza on 7 October, with regular cross-border fire exchanges between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

According to an AFP tally, some 614 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 138 civilians. On the Israeli side, Tel Aviv has announced the deaths of 24 soldiers and 26 civilians.